Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman has reportedly called for holding the next general elections “as soon as possible,” indicating December as a possible deadline.
He made the remarks during an “Officers’ Address” at Senaprangon in Dhaka Cantonment, according to sources familiar with the event.
The gathering included officers stationed in Dhaka, except those deployed in aid of civil administration. Officers based in other garrisons joined virtually, while those serving in UN missions also attended.
All officers were in full combat uniform.
In his 30-minute opening speech, delivered from 10:30am, General Waker lauded the Armed Forces for their tireless service and commitment to national stability.
However, he also expressed concern that, despite the army’s continued efforts since August 5, both he and the force are being unfairly targeted by certain quarters.
“He warned that both domestic and foreign interest groups are aggravating the crisis in a bid to exploit the situation for their own benefit,” said a senior officer present at the meeting.
General Waker emphasised that any decision regarding a proposed humanitarian corridor into Myanmar’s Rakhine State must come from a duly elected government and follow legitimate procedures, another officer told Times of Bangladesh.
The Chief of Army Staff reiterated that the Bangladesh Army would never engage in any action detrimental to national sovereignty or allow others to do so.
He instructed all ranks to remain neutral and carry out their electoral duties with honesty.
However, he also voiced concern that extended army deployment for internal security could undermine national defense readiness.
“The army should return to the barracks as soon as a political government assumes office. Otherwise, the nation’s defense will face serious risks amid regional and global uncertainties,” he was quoted as saying.
General Waker urged officers to uphold discipline and loyalty, and to stand up concretely for the rights of the oppressed.
Over a one-hour question-answer session followed his opening remarks.
When an officer proposed that the army disclose offenses committed by dismissed personnel via the ISPR, General Waker replied that Islamic values discourage publicising an individual’s misdeeds.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged that if such cases exceed acceptable limits, disclosure might become necessary.
Other topics discussed by the officers included mob violence, the current law and order situation, the UN fact-finding report on July–August killings, interim government’s ongoing reforms, own training, and issues related to the Chattogram port.
Previous Officers’ Addresses
Earlier, in a similar “Officers’ Address” on March 24 this year, senior army officers called for the swift restoration of democracy through general elections, expressing their desire to return to barracks and refocus on their primary responsibilities.
The officers categorically stated their intention to withdraw following general elections—expected by December—within the 12 to 18-month timeframe previously outlined by Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman.
Addressing concerns about the spread of misinformation targeting the military, General Waker-uz-Zaman told the meeting that the nation would remember the dedicated service of army personnel deployed across the country. He urged all ranks to approach the situation with professionalism, dedication, and patience.
In an earlier Officers’ Address, preceded by a darbar, attended by personnel from all divisions of the Bangladesh Army on August 20 last year, General Waker-uz-Zaman indicated that the army’s role in aiding civil administration might extend longer than initially expected due to practical considerations.
“I do not see a scope for an early withdrawal,” he reportedly told the gathering—his second address to the rank and file within 20 days.
The first such address, held on August 3, 2024, after he assumed office in June, was particularly significant. The prevailing sentiment expressed by junior officers was “No fire on our own people.” General Waker-uz-Zaman reinforced that commitment more explicitly, declaring: “No fire from now on.”
That principled stance ultimately helped pave the way for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation within 48 hours, on August 5.