Bangladesh’s Political Deadlock Deepens: Is Muhammad Yunus Losing Control of the Interim Government?
Quick Facts:
- Bangladesh’s interim government led by Muhammad Yunus faces growing opposition from the military.
- The proposal to open a humanitarian corridor to Myanmar has triggered public criticism from army officials.
- Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has called for early elections and flagged concerns over key government decisions.
- The Awami League has been officially banned, while the country inches closer to political paralysis.
Dhaka | May 28, 2025 – Bangladesh’s fragile political landscape is witnessing an intense standoff between its interim civilian government and the military, raising alarm bells both domestically and internationally. Just nine months after Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed leadership as Chief Adviser, promising a fresh democratic dawn post-Awami League era, the country appears to be slipping further into chaos.
A Corridor of Controversy
On May 26, an Army spokesperson openly criticized the Yunus government’s controversial proposal to open a “humanitarian corridor” into Myanmar’s violence-ridden Rakhine State. The government insists the goal is purely humanitarian — to deliver life-saving medical supplies and essential aid to the Rohingya population. But the military sees it as a potential security nightmare.
For a nation already housing over a million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and grappling with resource stress, the armed forces are particularly wary of any move that might escalate cross-border instability or open up routes for militant infiltration.
This latest disagreement comes on the heels of a broader critique by Army chief Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman. Speaking last week, he flagged multiple concerns — including foreign involvement in managing Chattogram Port and the potential national security implications of introducing Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet network in Bangladesh.
His central message? The country needs “a stable, elected government” that can responsibly steer decisions critical to national interest.
A Leader Under Pressure
Muhammad Yunus came to power amid dramatic upheaval last August, riding on the support of student groups and civil society networks after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government. At the time, he pledged sweeping reforms, democratic revival, and the restoration of institutional credibility.
But today, Yunus is seen by many as an unelected leader struggling to hold together a government increasingly viewed as both authoritarian and rudderless.
The ban on the Awami League earlier this month — a decision reportedly taken under pressure from Islamist factions and radicalized student coalitions — has left Bangladesh without one of its oldest and largest political voices. With senior leaders either in exile or underground, and hundreds of party workers reportedly killed in the crackdown, prospects for inclusive elections have dimmed.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), too, has stepped up its protests, decrying the government’s failure to announce a credible election timeline. Meanwhile, the public mood has shifted from cautious optimism to frustration, as violent mobs — often unchecked — dominate the streets.
Civil-Military Rift: A Dangerous Sign
The military’s increasingly vocal opposition to the interim government marks a dangerous phase in Bangladesh’s political crisis. Army statements that once remained confined to internal briefings are now being aired at press conferences — a rare move that signals deeper institutional discontent.
And while Cabinet officials tried to dismiss swirling rumors that Yunus might resign, the Army’s open defiance suggests a “cold war” between the country’s civilian leadership and the armed forces is already underway.
If left unchecked, this civil-military divide could transform into a constitutional crisis, potentially destabilizing an already volatile nation.
Elections: The Only Democratic Exit?
Yunus and his allies — including the newly-formed National Citizen Party, made up largely of student leaders — argue that elections cannot be held before mid-2026, citing the need for electoral and administrative reform. However, critics point out that this delay only worsens the legitimacy vacuum.
With the opposition suppressed, governance faltering, and the economy under stress, Bangladesh urgently needs a credible, inclusive, and peaceful path forward. That path must lead to elections — not in a distant future, but at the earliest possible opportunity.
Holding elections without all key political stakeholders, including the Awami League and the BNP, would only deepen the crisis. For a country that once showcased remarkable economic growth and democratic resilience, this moment is a test of its institutions — and its resolve.
Final Word
Muhammad Yunus promised a Bangladesh reborn under democratic ideals. But without immediate steps to restore inclusivity, transparency, and civilian-military harmony, his interim government risks becoming a symbol of missed opportunities and political regression.
Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. The only sustainable path forward is to return power to the people — through free, fair, and participatory elections. The world is watching, and time is running out.