Who is Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman? The ally who turned nightmare for Muhammad Yunus

Muhammad Yunus with Bangladesh's Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman (AFP)

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman issued an ultimatum to interim leader Muhammad Yunus to hold elections by December for an elected government to take office by early 2026, Yunus reportedly threatened to resign if political parties do not back him, AFP quoted a source from his office.

Tensions have reportedly surfaced between interim leader Muhammad Yunus and Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, despite their initial alliance following the collapse of the Hasina-led government, which saw Yunus assume leadership with the army chief’s support.

General Zaman said that his stance on holding the elections remains unchanged and only an elected government can determine the future of a country, Bangladeshi media reported.

General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the current Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh, has been a central figure in the country’s political developments. Appointed on June 23, 2024 for a three-year term, his role in Bangladesh’s politics is under close scrutiny as signs of a rift emerge between him and interim leader Muhammad Yunus.

General Zaman actively contributed to preserving stability amid the political upheaval by ordering army forces to defend civilians, public property, and vital state infrastructure when massive demonstrations against the Hasina government took place.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on August 5, 2024, after serving for 15 years and fled to India. She resigned from her post following weeks of deadly protests that began as peaceful demonstrations against government job quotas but escalated into a nationwide movement demanding her departure.

After her resignation, he initially supported Muhammad Yunus to lead the interim government that was formed on August 8, 2024. However, his recent shift in stance toward Yunus signals a change in the army’s role amid the ongoing political crisis.

Zaman was born in Dhaka in 1966, he had a distinguished military career spanning of more than 35 years. Zaman graduated from the Bangladesh Military Academy, he has served in key leadership positions, including a six-month tenure as Chief of General Staff, where he oversaw military operations, intelligence, and budgeting.

He holds a Master’s degree in Defence Studies from the National University of Bangladesh and another degree from King's College of London. He has also been part of United Nations peacekeeping missions in Angola and Liberia representing Bangladesh in UN.

Before becoming army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman served as the Principal Staff Officer at the Armed Forces Division under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, underscoring his significant influence in both military and political spheres. He also played a key role in facilitating the recent political transition.

General Zaman is also linked to a legacy of military leadership through his marriage to Sarahnaz Kamalika Zaman, daughter of former army chief General Muhammad Mustafizur Rahman, who held the position from 1997 to 2000 during Hasina’s first term.

Sources close to the situation revealed to India Today that General Waker-Uz-Zaman suspects interim leader Muhammad Yunus of plotting his removal through a combination of street protests and external influences.

General Zaman strongly condemned the proposed Myanmar Rakhine corridor, stating that any notion of a so-called “bloody corridor” is completely unacceptable.

The Army Chief opposed the plan after Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain announced unilateral approval, raising concerns in Bangladesh that the corridor could undermine national sovereignty and serve US geostrategic interests.

National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman added, “I want to say it unequivocally—we have not talked to anyone about the corridor, and we will not talk to anyone."

The differing tones between General Zaman and the NSA highlight growing tensions within the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.