Bangladesh Army questions authenticity of reported statement of chief Gen Waker

The Bangladesh Army has cast doubt on the authenticity of General Waker-Uz-Zaman’s purported statement where he reportedly pushed for the general election to be held by December as key to easing political unrest.

The purported remarks of the chief of army staff emphasising the urgency of holding elections have sparked considerable political debate, drawing widespread attention across the media and public discourse, over the past several days.

The remarks come at a time of heightened political sensitivity, as the country navigates internal tensions and shifting regional dynamics.

However, at a press briefing at Dhaka Cantonment on Monday, senior Army officials underscored the need for scrutiny of such claims.

“The legitimacy of the issues published regarding the Army chief’s statement deserves careful consideration,” said Col Md Shafiqul Islam, Colonel Staff at the Directorate of Military Operations at the Army Headquarters, in response to questions from journalists.

The briefing, which focused on a range of issues including cross-border developments with Myanmar, the Arakan Army’s movements, and access corridors into Rakhine, also addressed the Army’s relations with the interim government.

Alongside Shafiqul, the Director of the Military Operations Directorate Brigadier General Nazim-ud-Daula also spoke at the briefing.

Both of them said the Army would not engage in any activity "that may compromise the country’s security”.

WHAT THE ARMY CHIEF SAID

The Army chief made remarks that, according to local and international media, purportedly touched not only on the need for early elections but also on topics such as Rakhine corridor, ports and reforms during an Officers Address at the Dhaka Cantonment parade ground on May 21.

Journalists were not invited to that event. Neither the Army Headquarters nor the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued any statement or press release about the army chief’s statement.

Several newspapers reported on the subject based on accounts from army officers at different levels.

The key points quoting the Army chief in the reports are as follows:

• General Waker reportedly said at the event that “the national election must be held by December”.
• He said that the decision on a humanitarian corridor in Myanmar’s Rakhine state must come from an elected government and must follow a legitimate process.
• Referring to the outsourcing of Chattogram Port management from foreign companies, he said that such decisions must be made through the elected government and that local residents' and political leaders’ opinions are necessary.
• On reforms, General Waker said he did not know what reforms were taking place or how they were happening. He was not consulted or engaged in any discussions on the matter.
• Gen Waker also said the Army knew nothing about the UN report on the July-August incidents. When asked by the Army, the UN said it had informed the government. However, the government did not consult with the Army on the matter.
• At the event, he issued a stern message against “mob violence”, saying that disorder or violence in the name of organised crowds would “no longer be tolerated”.

In the turbulent political climate marked by a series of movements, these purported remarks by the Army chief sparked fresh discussions, in particular, highlighted differences between the Army and the government on elections, the port, and the humanitarian corridor.

Following this, speculation about Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus's resignation briefly roiled political circles.

Over Saturday and Sunday, he held meetings with top leaders of around two dozen political parties.

All these parties expressed their support for the Yunus government and presented their demands for reforms and the election.

WHAT IS THE ARMY HQ SAYING?

At Monday’s briefing, a journalist drew attention to the remarks made by the Army chief at the Officers Address event.

Col Shafiqul responded: “The Army chief speaks to officers or soldiers at any time, or from time to time, providing guidance. It was merely a continuation of that.

“We did not invite any journalists there, he did not address the nation, and the ISPR did not issue any official statement.”

The army officer said, “What you’re seeing in the media or on social media requires careful consideration. We are quite doubtful about the statement’s accuracy or authenticity.”

In response to a question about the army’s stance on the election and the issue of the Army taking power, he said: “A lot was said about the election at the Officers Address, but we don’t want to comment on that. However, the Army has no intention of taking power. We haven’t had any discussions on this within our ranks.”

He highlighted that the Army is working “unitedly” to protect the sovereignty and security of the country.

On the rumours circulating on social media and elsewhere about differences of opinion between the government and the Army, Brig Gen Nazim-ud-Doula said: “Nothing like that has happened. The Bangladesh government and the Army are working as complements to each other—like a family.”