“I have no guardian, you are my guardians” – General Waker

Staff Correspondent

Dhaka, May 21, 2025 – Tensions had been brewing for some days between the army chief and the interim government over the country’s overall situation and the issue of the humanitarian corridor. After a series of meetings and mediation by the US Chargé d’Affaires, the current army chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, appeared before military personnel at Durbar this morning. There, he stated, “I have no guardian, you are my guardians.”

Rumors had been circulating for some time regarding the Army Headquarters, Jamuna, and Bangabhaban. These rumors increased pressure on Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman, also known as Roger Rahman, and Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. PSO Kamrul Hasan was also not spared from this pressure.

The tension began when Khalilur Rahman, a high-ranking US citizen, was appointed as security advisor in the absence of Army Chief Waker to address the Rohingya issue. This marked the first time in Bangladesh’s history that someone outside the military was entrusted with national security responsibilities. Following this appointment, the issue of the “humanitarian corridor” provided to Myanmar’s Arakan Army in Rakhine began surfacing publicly. After the UN Secretary-General proposed the humanitarian corridor in March, Foreign Affairs Advisor Tawhidur Rahman first spoke on the matter in late April. He said, “We have agreed in principle to the humanitarian corridor issue and have imposed some conditions.” Subsequently, from the press secretary to the security advisor, various officials spoke on the issue, but their statements lacked consistency.

Amid this situation, unverified information spread across social media and talk shows. The nation was waiting to hear what the army, entrusted with protecting the motherland, had to say. This morning at Durbar, that wait came to an end.

Addressing the humanitarian corridor issue, General Waker told military personnel, “No bloody corridor business.” He reiterated his firm stance on the matter. All military personnel and the chiefs of the three forces supported his position.

At Durbar, the army chief and military personnel expressed frustration over being kept in the dark on critical national security issues. They stated that the interim government was making decisions without involving the military, which falls outside their jurisdiction. Such decisions should be made by a government elected by the people. In this context, the army chief reiterated his earlier statement: “Acceptable elections by December.”

He made it clear that “elections must be held by December” and only an “elected government” should determine the country’s direction—not an administration unaccountable to the people or unwilling to answer to them.

Commanding officers expressed anger over the destruction of Liberation War monuments and sculptures. They declared that the destruction of Liberation War and national heritage sites would no longer be tolerated under any circumstances. The commanding officers stated, “No compromise on the Liberation War.” In recent days, military personnel have firmly responded to the rise of anti-liberation forces and their provocations.

Regarding mob violence, the army chief said, “The army has shown much patience and tolerance, but no more. From now on, no one will be allowed to do as they please by creating mobs in the country.” Everyone must respect the law and act within legal boundaries. No more leniency will be shown.

The hopes and expectations with which the nation looked toward the military were fully reflected in the statements and stance of the army chief and military personnel.