Bangladesh's army chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, has vowed to fully support the country's interim government "come what may" to ensure it can complete key reforms following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The reforms aim to pave the way for national elections within the next 18 months.
In early August, Waker and the army stood aside as student-led protests erupted, ultimately leading to Hasina's resignation after 15 years in power. She fled to neighboring India following one of the bloodiest uprisings in Bangladesh’s history, with more than 1,000 people killed in violent clashes.
In a rare interview with Reuters from his Dhaka office on Monday (23 September), Waker-uz-Zaman confirmed his commitment to the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. He outlined plans to reduce political influence within the military. "I will stand beside him. Come what may. So that he can accomplish his mission," Waker said of Yunus.
Yunus, the pioneer of microcredit, has promised sweeping reforms to key national institutions, including the judiciary, police, and financial sector. These changes are intended to restore stability and lead to free and fair elections in the nation of 170 million. Waker, who became army chief shortly before Hasina’s ouster, emphasized the importance of patience, suggesting that the transition to democracy could take between one and one-and-a-half years.
"If you ask me, then I will say that should be the time frame by which we should enter into a democratic process," Waker stated. Despite calls from both major political parties, the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), for elections within three months, the interim government has prioritized stabilization efforts.
Yunus and Waker reportedly maintain close cooperation, with regular meetings to coordinate efforts aimed at rebuilding the country. Waker expressed confidence in their partnership: "I'm sure that if we work together, there is no reason why we should fail."
Waker reflected on Bangladesh’s turbulent history, which saw the country come under military rule following its independence from Pakistan in 1971 and again in 2007, before the restoration of civilian rule under Hasina. He stressed that the army under his leadership would avoid political intervention. "I will not do anything which is detrimental to my organization," he said, adding, "I am a professional soldier. I would like to keep my army professional."
As part of the interim government's reform agenda, the army is also undergoing internal scrutiny. Waker revealed that several soldiers have already been punished for misconduct, though he did not elaborate. "If there is any serving member who is found guilty, of course I will take action," he affirmed, noting that some military officials may have overstepped their roles under the previous government.
The interim administration has also established a commission to investigate reports of up to 600 forced disappearances allegedly carried out by security forces since 2009. The five-member commission is led by a former high court judge.
Looking ahead, Waker advocated for a clearer separation between the military and political establishments. He suggested that the armed forces be placed directly under the president rather than the defense ministry, which is typically overseen by the prime minister. Such a shift, he argued, could be addressed through constitutional reforms under the interim government.
"The military as a whole must not be used for political purpose ever," Waker said. "A soldier must not indulge in politics." With more than 130,000 personnel, Bangladesh's military is also a significant contributor to United Nations peacekeeping missions, and Waker is keen to see its role remain professional and apolitical.
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