Bangladesh on the brink again: Yunus threatens to quit amid rift with Army chief; what's fuelling the fallout?

Bangladesh’s interim chief Muhammad Yunus has threatened to resign if political parties do not give him their backing, reported AFP quoting a source in his office. BBC Bangla also reported that Yunus was mulling resignation as he finds it difficult to work because political parties failed to reach a common ground.

This came after protests by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Thursday and the reported rift between Yunus and Army chief Wakar-uz-Zaman.

An India Today report quoted sources in Bangladesh government saying that student leaders are rallying youths and Islamists to stage protest in Dhaka.

Following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led government in August 2024, Bangladesh witnessed a significant political shift. Muhammad Yunus was appointed as the head of the interim government, supported by General Waqar-uz-Zaman, the Army chief. The two joined hands following the collapse of Hasina-led government, but recent developments indicate a growing rift between them.

Amid widespread protests and civil unrest, Hasina resigned and fled the country to take refuge in India. This led to the establishment of an interim government, and Zaman played a pivotal role in facilitating this transition.

Emerging fault lines

The latest flashpoint between the two has been the proposal of a Rakhine corridor to Myanmar. The interim government has reportedly sacked its foreign secretary Md Jashim Uddin, allegedly for opposing the initiative of the “humanitarian corridor” and “safe zone” for Rohingya refugees – an idea pushed by Yunus.

General Waqar-uz-Zaman has expressed strong opposition to this initiative, citing national security concerns and potential implications for Bangladesh's sovereignty.

Zaman at a meeting of army officers on Wednesday rejected just such a notion, according to Economic Times. He also slammed the interim government for making key decisions without consulting the military.

Zaman said Bangladesh needs political stability, which is only possible through “elected government, not by unelected decision-makers.”

The Bangladesh Army chief has advocated for national elections to be held by December 2025, emphasizing the need for a timely return to democratic governance. Conversely, Muhammad Yunus has suggested a more extended timeline, proposing elections by March 2026 to ensure comprehensive reforms and stability. This divergence reflects differing priorities: the military's focus on prompt political transition versus the interim government's emphasis on thorough institutional restructuring.

The law and order situation in Bangladesh remains precarious, with rising crime rates and increasing Islamist influence. General Waqar-uz-Zaman has criticized the interim government's handling of internal security, advocating for more robust measures to restore order. In contrast, Muhammad Yunus has focused on addressing human rights violations and reforming security institutions, aiming for a balance between enforcement and civil liberties.

Underlying tensions and political dynamics

Reports suggest that General Waqar-uz-Zaman may have opposed Yunus's appointment as Chief Adviser and has engaged in discussions about reintegrating the Awami League into politics without trial.

The initial collaboration between Muhammad Yunus and General Waqar-uz-Zaman was instrumental in navigating Bangladesh through a critical transitional period. However, their growing disagreements over election timelines, foreign policy initiatives, and internal security strategies highlight the complexities of governance in post-Hasina Bangladesh.