Says army chief in Officers’ Address, touches on corridor, port and other issues
Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman yesterday said the national election should be held by December this year, according to three sources with direct knowledge of his remarks made at a high-level gathering in Dhaka cantonment.
"Bangladesh needs political stability. This is only possible through an elected government, not by unelected decision-makers," one source quoted the army chief as saying in an Officers` Address.
All three sources spoke on condition of anonymity, citing official protocol.
Gen Waker warned that keeping the army deployed for civil duties for long may compromise defence preparedness.
"The army is meant for defending the nation, not for policing … We must return to barracks after elections," he was quoted as telling the event at Senaprangan, where he delivered a 30-minute speech followed by over an hour of question-answer session.
Officers from across the country and UN missions abroad joined in physically and virtually -- all in full combat uniform, signalling unity and readiness, the sources said.
Earlier in September last year, Waker told Reuters that the army was ready to support the interim government to help it complete key reforms so the elections can be held within 18 months.
At an event marking the National Martyred Army Day at Raowa Club on February 25 this year, he reiterated the call, saying, "Every time I spoke with Dr Yunus, I completely agreed with him that there should be a free, fair, and inclusive election and that the election should be held within December or close to that."
At yesterday`s event, Gen Waker also spoke about the much-discussed issue of considering a humanitarian channel with Myanmar`s Rakhine state.
"There will be no corridor. The sovereignty of Bangladesh is not negotiable," the sources quoted him as saying.
The army chief called the initiative "risky and sensitive", and said that a decision on the matter must not be taken by an unelected government, according to all three sources.
"Only a political government elected by the people can make such decisions," he said, warning that the corridor plan could drag Bangladesh into a dangerous proxy war.
The sources said Gen Waker also voiced concerns over other high-risk decisions being taken without a mandate, such as those involving the Chattogram sea port and the launch of Starlink.
These are matters of national security. The army will not allow anyone to compromise our sovereignty, the sources said, quoting him.
In response to an officer`s concern, the army chief warned against the rise in mob violence and chaos. "The army will not tolerate any disorder that harms our people."
He also promised a strong response to anyone trying to insult or distort the legacy and pride of the nation, the sources said. "We will defend our national history and honour. No one will be allowed to attack it."
He expressed deep concerns about "vested groups" working to destabilise Bangladesh.
"They`ve already tried to weaken the Rab and the police. They targeted key institutions like DGFI, NSI, and NTMC. Their goal is simple: create unrest, weaken national security, and control Bangladesh`s future," the army chief was quoted as saying at the gathering.
Touching on the economy, he said, "Garment factories are shutting down one after another, and no one seems concerned. This silence is dangerous."
Officers at the event raised concerns about false online campaigns to damage the army`s reputation.
The army chief ordered actions against such misinformation and warned that discipline within the forces will be maintained strictly, according to the sources.
Regarding demands to publicly expose dismissed personnel involved in misconduct, he responded with caution: "Our values teach us not to shame others publicly. But if limits are crossed, we might have no choice."
Officers spoke openly about the targeted smear campaign against Gen Waker and the army in general, the sources said.
According to Gen Waker, these are not merely an attack on the army, but part of a bigger plan to weaken public confidence in the armed forces.
He explained that these forces believe that if they can weaken the army and its leadership, they can push the country into chaos and then take advantage of the situation for their personal gains.
"But they are mistaken. We will not allow anyone to harm Bangladesh," the army chief was quoted as saying.
General Waker ended the event with a reminder, "The army is with the people. We are not part of any political game. We stand for Bangladesh."
He urged everyone in uniform to remain united, disciplined, and to protect the rights of the oppressed.
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