Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has sharply reversed its stance on the controversial proposal for a "humanitarian" corridor to Myanmar’s Rakhine State following a stern warning from Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman.
The Army Chief labeled the plan a "bloody corridor" and pushed back strongly after Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain had unilaterally announced that the interim government had agreed to the UN-proposed Rakhine corridor. Growing concerns within Bangladesh suggest the corridor could infringe on national sovereignty and is being pushed by the United States for geostrategic advantages.
Despite widespread objections, it is believed that Yunus and his close allies were initially acquiescing to US demands to remain in power without holding elections. General Waker-Uz-Zaman made it clear on Wednesday that the Bangladesh Army would never support activities harmful to the country’s sovereignty, warning the interim government that national interest must be paramount and that political consensus should guide such decisions. He further urged Yunus to hold early elections, cease interference in military affairs, and keep the army informed on key issues like the Rakhine corridor project.
The proposed corridor was intended to begin in the Chattogram Division of eastern Bangladesh and serve as a route for delivering humanitarian aid to civilians affected by conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine region. However, it drew sharp criticism from various political factions within Bangladesh, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Khaleda Zia and several Leftist groups, who condemned the plan as unilateral and illegal.
Experts and observers viewed the corridor as part of a broader American strategy to counter China’s growing influence in the region. An opinion piece in the Dhaka Tribune highlighted significant security risks, noting fears that the humanitarian aid corridor could serve as a pretext for foreign influence, potentially facilitating military logistics or intelligence operations, thereby threatening the sovereignty of both Bangladesh and Myanmar.
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In response to General Zaman’s warning, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman—appointed by Yunus just weeks earlier—clarified that the government had neither formally discussed the corridor with any party nor planned to do so in the future. Rahman, who also acts as Yunus’ High Representative for Rohingya and priority issues, explained that the UN had only inquired if Bangladesh could assist in sending humanitarian aid near the border to be delivered by UN partners to Rakhine state, and that Bangladesh had merely indicated willingness to consider such assistance.
This clarification marked a stark reversal from earlier statements by Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, who in April had publicly said that the transitional government had agreed in principle to the corridor, albeit subject to unspecified conditions.
The backdrop to the corridor proposal is the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, where over two million people are facing famine amid civil war and natural disasters. The Rohingya minority, persecuted in Myanmar, have fled in large numbers to Bangladesh and India. Bangladesh currently hosts approximately 1.3 million Rohingya refugees, with around 118,000 settling in Cox’s Bazar in 2024 alone. This influx has raised significant security concerns, including potential arms smuggling and increased criminal activity.
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While General Zaman’s strong opposition triggered the government’s quick retreat, the corridor plan had already faced vocal resistance from the opposition. The BNP, led by acting chairman Tarique Rahman—the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia—condemned the interim government’s decision as undemocratic and criticised the lack of consultation with the public and political parties. Tarique Rahman emphasised that such decisions should be made only by a democratically elected parliament representing the people.
Veteran journalist Subir Bhaumik, writing for India Today, described the Rakhine corridor as part of a US effort to thwart China’s land-to-sea access, which was granted by Myanmar’s military junta. Former diplomat Munshi Faiz Ahmad warned that the corridor could entangle Bangladesh in a foreign trap, stressing that the country’s friendship with China is built on mutual respect and non-interference. He stated that any corridor must remain under Bangladesh’s absolute control, or else the nation risks falling into a dangerous geopolitical bind.
The interim government’s hasty U-turn on the corridor highlights its precarious position and underscores the Bangladesh Army’s role as a credible, secular institution safeguarding national sovereignty. The army’s firm stance signals growing impatience with the government and emphasizes the importance of political consensus and respect for national interests in sensitive foreign policy matters. This cautious recalibration by Yunus’s government appears aimed at avoiding confrontation with the military, which remains a powerful force in the country’s political landscape.
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