The big picture:
Bangladesh's fragile transition is under threat as a growing rift between interim leader Muhammad Yunus and Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman fuels fears of a political breakdown—or worse.
🔥 What's happening
Yunus under pressure: The Nobel laureate has faced mounting calls to resign amid stalled reforms, opposition protests, and military demands for elections by December 2025.
Army's hard line: General Waker-Uz-Zaman insists polls must be held this year, clashing with Yunus’ plan to delay until mid-2026 to complete constitutional reforms.
Emergency talks: Yunus convened a closed-door meeting on May 24 to reaffirm his leadership after speculation of his resignation. Advisers say he will stay on—for now.
⚠️ Why it matters
Coup fears rise: The standoff evokes memories of Bangladesh’s 2007 military-backed caretaker government. Yunus’ aides warn of a “return to authoritarianism” if unity fails.
Crackdown intensifies: The government’s “Operation Devil Hunt” has arrested over 11,000 people since February, targeting Awami League loyalists and fueling accusations of political repression.
Opposition unrest: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) are demanding early elections and the removal of military influence from politics.
🧠 What to watch
Leadership showdown: Yunus is set to meet opposition leaders this week to defuse tensions. But without a clear election timeline, political paralysis could deepen.
Military maneuvering: Reports suggest Yunus may be backing a rival general to replace Zaman, raising the stakes in the civil-military power struggle.
Public response: With memories of past military interventions still fresh, public sentiment could sway the outcome of this political crisis.
🧾 The bottom line
Bangladesh’s democratic transition is at a crossroads. Without compromise between Yunus and the military, the country risks slipping back into authoritarian rule or facing another period of instability.
Source: Reuters, Times of India, Arab News, Wikipedia
