No Corridor, No Proxy War: Bangladesh Army Chief Stands Firm on Sovereignty

Sanjoy Kumar Barua

In a comprehensive and assertive address delivered at the Dhaka Cantonment on Wednesday, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman issued an unambiguous call for the preservation of national sovereignty, constitutional order, and political consensus.

Speaking before officers of all ranks—both in person and virtually—he outlined the military’s principled stance on a series of urgent national issues, including the proposed humanitarian corridor to Myanmar’s Rakhine state, foreign interference, delayed reforms, and the timeline for national elections.

General Waker made it unequivocally clear that the Bangladesh Army would not consider any proposal for a humanitarian or strategic corridor to Rakhine, stressing that such decisions must emanate exclusively from a democratically elected government, following due process.

“There will be no corridor—none whatsoever,” he said emphatically, underscoring that any move to permit passage to foreign entities without political legitimacy or national consensus would be wholly unacceptable.

“Our duty is to protect the national interest,” he added, “and any such decision must reflect the will of the people, not the ambitions of outsiders.”

Addressing ongoing debates around foreign involvement in strategic matters—such as the potential transfer of operations at the Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT)—the Army Chief reiterated that political leaders and citizens must be consulted, and no decision of such magnitude should bypass an elected government.

General Waker also revealed that the Army had not been consulted regarding key UN reports released in mid-2024, and questioned why the interim administration failed to engage with the military on issues of national security and international representation.

“We learned about the UN report through external channels, not through our own government,” he stated, calling it a matter of serious concern.

Turning to the issue of political transition, the Army Chief expressed a strong preference for a timely return to elected governance, stating, “I want a new elected government to begin leading the country from January 1, 2026.”

While praising the dedication and honesty of the current Chief Adviser and his colleagues, he pointed out their administrative inexperience and stressed that long-term national leadership must come from a political government.

In a cautionary tone, General Waker warned that Bangladesh risked being drawn unknowingly into the vortex of geopolitical conflict.

“The country is drifting toward becoming a proxy battlefield for foreign powers,” he said, adding that the Army would never tolerate any activity—domestic or external—that compromises independence, sovereignty, or national integrity.

On internal matters, the Army Chief acknowledged the persistence of political pressure in military promotions and emphasized that such interference remains unacceptable.

He stated that the Army had recommended reforms to the interim government, but after more than ten months, “no significant progress has been observed.”

He stressed the importance of professionalism within the military, instructing officers to maintain neutrality and prepare for electoral responsibilities with the utmost integrity.

“We have no political ambition,” he affirmed. “The Army must always act in defense of the Constitution and the people.”

The General further directed that all remaining sports competitions for the year be suspended, signaling a shift in focus toward national stability and preparedness.

He also made it clear that the military will not tolerate lawlessness or politically motivated street violence.

“No more mobs on the streets,” he warned. “We will act decisively to uphold law and order.”

Ending on a powerful note, General Waker reminded his officers of the lessons of January 11, 2007, and emphasized that the military does not wish to revisit such moments of political crisis.

In a rhetorical challenge to those questioning the Army’s role, he asked: “Does anyone want to take my responsibility? If so, step forward and take it.”

The message from the nation’s top military official was unequivocal: the Army remains steadfastly committed to neutrality, sovereignty, and constitutional order—and expects the political leadership to restore democratic governance without delay.