Bangladesh’s army chief is being urged to take a more direct and strategic role in addressing the ongoing genocide in neighboring Myanmar, amid growing frustration over the failure of diplomatic efforts to repatriate nearly a million Rohingya refugees who have taken shelter in Bangladesh.
General Waker-Uz-Zaman returned from an official visit to China on Wednesday, where he was received by senior Chinese civil and military leaders and discussed bilateral defense cooperation and the Rohingya repatriation issue, according to a statement from the Inter Services Public Relations.
He met with top officials including General Chen Hui of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force and Chen Defang, president of the Chinese defense manufacturer NORINCO Group. Talks focused on enhancing strategic military ties and China’s support for defense industry development in Bangladesh.
But critics argue that while diplomacy has played a part, it is now time for the army to assume a more active role in planning for the consequences of continued inaction, including the risk of prolonged instability at the border and the long-term burden on national resources.
For nearly a decade, Bangladesh has appealed to India, the United States, and China to intervene and help facilitate the safe return of the Rohingya to Myanmar. Despite repeated pledges of support, no meaningful progress has been achieved. The refugees remain stranded in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, with little sign of a durable solution.
Analysts say the military leadership should focus on formulating contingency strategies to deal with the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis, while leaving diplomatic negotiations to the country’s civilian authorities.
During his five-day trip to China, the army chief also visited several military facilities, including the PLA Academy of Armoured Forces in Beijing and multiple weapons manufacturing and research centers.
Calls are mounting for General Waker to return from foreign meetings with more than promises and public statements. With genocide continuing across the border, critics say strategic military planning must match the scale of the threat.