‘Honeymoon Is Over’: ICG Advises Interim Government to Focus on Elections

Staff Correspondent

DHAKA: The honeymoon period of Muhammad Yunus’ government is over, the International Crisis Group (ICG) has said, advising the interim administration to focus on holding national elections.

In a report published Thursday, the Belgium-based research group stated, “A free, fair, and peaceful election will be crucial in restoring public confidence in Bangladesh’s electoral process. Foreign partners must play a key role through dialogue, technical, and financial support to ensure that the interim government can steer the country towards a national election.”

ICG releases an annual ‘EU Watchlist,’ highlighting how the European Union can contribute to peace efforts in various countries. This year, Bangladesh was included alongside Moldova, Colombia, North Korea, Sudan, the Great Lakes region, Ukraine, Syria, Israel, Palestine, and Iran.

The Bangladesh section of the report was titled **“Bangladesh: A Democratic Crossroads”** and emphasized the country’s strategic geopolitical position.

ICG’s senior consultant for Myanmar and Bangladesh, Thomas Kean, noted, “Political parties and key stakeholders are negotiating reforms, while different groups are scrambling for electoral advantages. This could heighten political challenges in the coming year.”

Kean added that the interim government is under pressure due to rising commodity prices, which he described as an “inheritance from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s mismanagement.”

The report said the Bangladeshi people would have to wait longer to see the benefits of ongoing economic recovery efforts.

Discussing regional challenges, Kean wrote, “Tensions with India persist, and the likelihood of Rohingya refugees returning to war-torn Myanmar in the near future remains slim.”

“Still, Bangladesh has a rare opportunity in the coming year to restructure its national political system and make it more inclusive and accountable,” he concluded.

Staff Correspondent

DHAKA: The honeymoon period of Muhammad Yunus’ government is over, the International Crisis Group (ICG) has said, advising the interim administration to focus on holding national elections.

In a report published Thursday, the Belgium-based research group stated, “A free, fair, and peaceful election will be crucial in restoring public confidence in Bangladesh’s electoral process. Foreign partners must play a key role through dialogue, technical, and financial support to ensure that the interim government can steer the country towards a national election.”

ICG releases an annual ‘EU Watchlist,’ highlighting how the European Union can contribute to peace efforts in various countries. This year, Bangladesh was included alongside Moldova, Colombia, North Korea, Sudan, the Great Lakes region, Ukraine, Syria, Israel, Palestine, and Iran.

The Bangladesh section of the report was titled **“Bangladesh: A Democratic Crossroads”** and emphasized the country’s strategic geopolitical position.

ICG’s senior consultant for Myanmar and Bangladesh, Thomas Kean, noted, “Political parties and key stakeholders are negotiating reforms, while different groups are scrambling for electoral advantages. This could heighten political challenges in the coming year.”

Kean added that the interim government is under pressure due to rising commodity prices, which he described as an “inheritance from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s mismanagement.”

The report said the Bangladeshi people would have to wait longer to see the benefits of ongoing economic recovery efforts.

Discussing regional challenges, Kean wrote, “Tensions with India persist, and the likelihood of Rohingya refugees returning to war-torn Myanmar in the near future remains slim.”

“Still, Bangladesh has a rare opportunity in the coming year to restructure its national political system and make it more inclusive and accountable,” he concluded.