Army chief pledges support for Yunus interim government: Bangladesh
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The army chief said that once reforms have been implemented, the transition to democracy should be made between 12 to 18 months, stressing that patience is needed.
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Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus sworn in as chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government in Dhaka on August 8, 2024. (AFP)
Bangladesh's army chief pledged support for the country's interim government led by Muhammad Yunus to implement key reforms after the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to ensure elections are held within the next 18 months.
General Waker-uz-Zaman said in an interview with Reuters on Monday that the interim government had his full support, and provided a framework to diminish political influence in the military.
"I will stand beside him. Come what may. So that he can accomplish his mission," Zaman said on Yunus.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus promised to implement reforms in the judiciary, police, and financial institutions to ensure a fair and free election.
Zaman said that once the reforms have been implemented, the transition to democracy should be made between 12 to 18 months, stressing patience is needed.
"If you ask me, then I will say that should be the time frame by which we should enter into a democratic process," he said.
Hasina's Awami League and its opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the country's two main political parties, called for elections to be held within three months of the interim government assuming office in August.
Yunus and the army chief hold weekly meetings and have "very good relations," with the military backing the government's efforts to stabilise the country after weeks of political unrest following the violent student-led protests, Zaman stated.
"I'm sure that if we work together, there is no reason why we should fail," he said.
Punishment and reforms
Bangladesh has a history of military rule since gaining independence from Pakistan in 1971, coming under military rule in 1975 after Hasina's father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated.
The country restored its democracy in 1990 after military ruler Hossain Mohammad Ershad was overthrown, but the military regained power in 2007 after staging a coup.
"I will not do anything which is detrimental to my organisation," Zaman said, asserting that the Bangladesh Army will not be involved in politics.
"I am a professional soldier. I would like to keep my army professional."
He added that the army is looking into misconduct allegations among its personnel, in line with government reforms put forth since Hasina was ousted. Zaman highlighted that some soldiers have been punished but did not provide additional information.
"If there is any serving member who is found guilty, of course I will take action," he said, adding some military officials may have behaved improperly while working at agencies directly controlled by the former prime minister or interior minister.
The acting government has established a five-member commission, led by a former high court judge, to investigate cases of around 600 individuals who may have been forcibly "disappeared" by security forces since 2009.
"It can only happen if there is some balance of power between president and prime minister, where the armed forces can be placed directly under president," Zaman said.
The armed forces operate under the defense ministry, generally overseen by the prime minister. Zaman suggested constitutional reform under the interim government could potentially amend this arrangement.
"The military as a whole must not be used for political purpose ever," he said.
"A soldier must not indulge in politics."
Bangladesh seeks extradition of ousted PM from India for 'massacres'
Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is seeking the extradition of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina from India, the court's chief prosecutor said earlier in September, accusing her of committing "massacres."
"As the main perpetrator has fled the country, we will start the legal procedure to bring her back," ICT chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told reporters on Sunday.
Bangladesh has an extradition agreement with India that was signed in 2013, permitting the return of the former leader to face criminal trial.
"As she has been made the main accused of the massacres in Bangladesh, we will try to legally bring her back to Bangladesh to face trial," Islam asserted.
Despite Dhaka revoking Hasina's diplomatic passport, the treaty includes a clause refusing extradition if the offense is committed by a "political character."
