Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, issued a strong warning on Tuesday, cautioning that the country’s independence and sovereignty could be at risk if internal conflicts and political mudslinging continue.
Speaking at a gathering commemorating the “2009 BDR tragedy at Pilkhana”, he urged unity and cooperation, stating, “I am warning you. You cannot later say that I did not warn you.” His remarks come at a critical time when tensions are rising over security concerns and political stability in the country.
Call for Support and National Unity
Addressing the recent attack on the Air Force facility in Cox’s Bazar, General Waker condemned the aggressive stance taken against the military. He urged citizens to support and advise the armed forces rather than challenge them, saying, “Don’t show an attacking approach towards the army. Help us, inspire us, give us suggestions but don’t hurt us.”
He stressed that national unity is essential to avoiding further problems. “We don’t want to head towards that,” he warned, hinting at the potential consequences of continued division and unrest.
Commitment to Fair Elections and Accountability
General Waker also addressed the upcoming national elections, emphasizing that Bangladesh is moving towards a “free, fair, and inclusive” electoral process. He revealed that discussions with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus had reinforced the commitment to holding elections by December or close to that timeframe.
“Whenever I have discussed this with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, he agreed that the elections should be held within Dec or close to that… My only desire is to keep the nation in a sound and stable position (till the elections). I had enough in last 7-8 months,” he stated.
The army chief underscored the importance of accountability for those involved in criminal activities, warning that failure to act could lead to repeated incidents. “People implicated in crimes must be held responsible. Otherwise, such incidents will recur. However, we must ensure that our actions do not undermine these institutions,” he said.
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