Exclusive: Bangladesh Army Chief Strongly Backs Interim Government, Eyes Elections Within 18 Months

By Devjyot Ghoshal and Ruma Paul

In Dhaka, Bangladesh, the army chief has expressed strong support for the interim government as it embarks on crucial reforms following the dismissal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, aiming to facilitate elections within the next 18 months.

General Waker-uz-Zaman, after his troops refrained from intervening during widespread student-led protests in early August, emphasized his commitment to supporting the interim administration headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Hasina resigned after 15 years in power and moved to neighboring India in the wake of the upheaval.

In a recent exclusive interview, Zaman conveyed assertively that he stands firmly with Yunus to ensure the success of the interim government. "I will stand beside him. Come what may. So that he can accomplish his mission," said Zaman, dressed in military attire.

Yunus has pledged to implement vital reforms in key sectors such as the judiciary, police, and financial institutions, laying the groundwork for free and fair elections in a nation of 170 million. Zaman indicated that a return to democracy should be achieved within a time frame of one to one-and-a-half years, although he acknowledged the need for patience in the process.

While both of the major political parties in Bangladesh—the Awami League, led by Hasina, and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)—had previously called for elections within three months of the interim government’s formation, the BNP’s secretary general stated the party seeks elections as soon as possible. "The sooner, the better. We are ready for elections. Even if they are held tomorrow, we are ready," he remarked.

Zaman mentioned that he meets with Yunus weekly, and noted a strong rapport between the military and the interim government, as they work together to restore stability following a turbulent period. "I’m sure that if we work together, there is no reason why we should fail," he asserted.

The backdrop of these developments includes violent protests that resulted in over 1,000 deaths, beginning in July as a movement against public-sector job quotas and escalating into a broader anti-government uprising—the bloodiest chapter in the nation’s independent history. Despite recent calm in Dhaka, the civil service is still recovering from the chaos, and the military has stepped in to provide law and order, as many police officers remain in disarray.

Zaman, a seasoned infantry officer who has witnessed the country’s turbulent history, stressed that he would not allow the army to engage in political matters. "I will not do anything which is detrimental to my organization. I am a professional soldier. I would like to keep my army professional," he affirmed.

Following reforms instigated by Hasina’s exit, the military is also examining allegations of misconduct among its ranks and has initiated disciplinary actions against some personnel, with further details not disclosed.

The interim government has established a commission to investigate allegations regarding the disappearance of up to 600 individuals at the hands of security forces since 2009. Zaman envisions a long-term plan to strengthen the separation between the military and political entities, proposing that power dynamics should shift so the armed forces operate directly under the president rather than the prime minister.

"The military as a whole must not be used for political purposes ever," he emphasized, asserting that soldiers should remain apolitical.