Bangladesh in Crisis: The Battle for Power Between the Military and the Interim Government
Bangladesh, a nation of more than 170 million people, is facing one of the most severe political crises in its recent history. The country has been thrust into turmoil by a high-stakes power struggle between its military leadership and an interim government headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. The ongoing confrontation is not merely a contest for political dominance—it represents a fundamental challenge to Bangladesh’s democratic institutions, rule of law, and regional stability.
The Roots of the Crisis: Ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the Rise of the Interim Government
The current crisis can be traced back to August 2024, when widespread student-led protests erupted against a controversial public sector job quota system. The movement quickly gained momentum, exposing simmering discontent with the ruling Awami League and its leader, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had held power for more than fifteen years. Amid mounting unrest and escalating violence, Hasina was forced to flee to India, leaving a political vacuum at the nation’s helm.
In the wake of Hasina’s departure, the military brokered the appointment of Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser to a new interim government. Yunus, a respected economist and founder of the Grameen Bank, was seen by many as a neutral figure capable of guiding the nation through its most challenging transition in decades. The military initially pledged its support for the interim administration, and there was cautious optimism—both at home and abroad—that Bangladesh might find a peaceful path back to stable governance.
Growing Tensions: A Rift Between the Military and Yunus
That optimism, however, has steadily faded as a rift emerged between the interim government and the military leadership, headed by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman. The first visible sign of discord came over the so-called Rakhine corridor—a proposal to build a strategic trade route through the restive Myanmar region. While Yunus and some of his advisers saw the project as vital for regional integration and economic growth, General Zaman publicly opposed it, citing concerns over national sovereignty and security.
This policy disagreement quickly broadened into a power struggle. The military, through General Zaman, has called for national elections to be held no later than December 2025, arguing that only a swift restoration of democracy can end the current instability. Yunus, on the other hand, has insisted that essential electoral reforms and political consensus must come first, suggesting that elections may be delayed until the end of 2025 or beyond if necessary. This clash over the timeline and nature of the democratic transition has become a flashpoint in Bangladesh’s unfolding crisis.
Crackdown on the Opposition and Threats to Civil Liberties
Amid this standoff, the interim government has launched an aggressive campaign to suppress opposition, especially targeting the Awami League and its supporters. On May 13, 2025, the government invoked a revised Anti-Terrorism Act to ban all activities of the Awami League, effectively rendering the former ruling party and its affiliates illegal. The crackdown didn’t stop there. Earlier in February, authorities launched “Operation Devil Hunt,” a nationwide campaign ostensibly aimed at rooting out destabilizing elements. Over 11,000 individuals have reportedly been detained in the operation, many of them opposition activists or suspected regime loyalists.
These actions have drawn condemnation from human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, which warns that the government’s measures risk undermining fundamental freedoms and stifling legitimate dissent. The environment in Bangladesh has become increasingly repressive, with civil liberties curtailed and the press facing growing intimidation.
Discord Within the Interim Administration
Adding to the instability, cracks have appeared within Yunus’s own administration. Reports indicate that Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin may be removed from his post after allegedly defying both Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain on key policy matters. Such internal discord signals a lack of cohesion at the highest levels of government and underscores the challenge of governing amid deep political divisions and institutional mistrust.
Law and order in the country have deteriorated further. A violent altercation at an air force base in Cox’s Bazar in February 2025 left one civilian dead and several injured, highlighting the volatility and unpredictability of the current situation. The interim government, lacking a strong political mandate, struggles to assert control and assure public confidence in its ability to maintain peace and order.
Regional Repercussions: Tensions with India
Bangladesh’s domestic turmoil has inevitably spilled over into its foreign relations, particularly with neighboring India. In May 2025, India imposed new restrictions on imports from Bangladesh, including a significant ban on readymade garment shipments via land routes. This move is widely interpreted as a response to remarks by Yunus suggesting that Bangladesh could limit Indian access to the Bay of Bengal, an assertion that triggered alarm in New Delhi.
India’s economic retaliation highlights how Bangladesh’s internal crisis now has direct implications for regional trade, security, and strategic alignments. The situation threatens to destabilize longstanding economic and diplomatic ties, making the path to resolution even more complex.
The Uncertain Road Ahead
Bangladesh’s future hangs in the balance. The standoff between the military and the interim government has created a political vacuum with no clear end in sight. Yunus, though respected internationally, faces immense challenges at home—from military pressure, political opponents, and a divided bureaucracy. The military, for its part, risks alienating both domestic and international partners if it is perceived as undermining democracy or orchestrating a de facto coup.
As Bangladesh approaches the proposed election deadline, the likelihood of further unrest is high unless a compromise can be forged. Civil society, battered by months of repression, remains anxious but resilient. International observers, including the United States and the European Union, continue to call for respect for democratic principles, the protection of civil liberties, and an inclusive, transparent process toward new elections.
For now, Bangladesh remains on a knife-edge, its fate to be decided by a delicate and dangerous power struggle at the highest levels. The outcome of this battle will shape not only the future of Bangladesh’s democracy but also the broader trajectory of South Asian regional security and economic stability.
About The Author
