Differences have emerged between the top leadership of the Bangladesh Army and Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus over the appointment of the new Chief of General Staff (CGS), a key position in the Army hierarchy, sources within the Bangladesh Army said.
The CGS post fell vacant after Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim proceeded on mandatory leave preparatory to retirement (LPR) ahead of his superannuation on January 17 this year. Since then, disagreements have surfaced between Yunus and Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman regarding the choice of Shamim’s successor.
The CGS post is considered crucial as the officer not only exercises control over the Army’s budget but also oversees several vital operational and administrative functions.
According to sources, Waker-uz-Zaman has favoured moving Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC) General Officer Commanding Lieutenant General Mainur Rahman to the CGS post. However, Yunus and National Security Adviser (NSA) Khalilur Rahman are reportedly backing Major General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman, currently the General Officer Commanding of the 24th Infantry Division.
For Mushfiqur to be appointed CGS, he would need to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. While Army decision-makers are not opposed to the promotion in principle, Zaman is understood to be firm on his preference for Lieutenant General Mainur.
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“There were some moves to place Major General Zubair Salahin, who until recently served as Bangladesh’s ambassador to Lebanon. However, this did not materialise as Salahin opted for LPR,” a Bangladesh Army source said. Salahin was given a farewell by Army Headquarters on January 28, three days before formally entering LPR on January 31.
Defence sources indicated that Zaman has been cautious about acting on Yunus’ recommendation, despite the Defence Ministry functioning under the Chief Adviser’s Office. They added that concerns over Mushfiqur’s perceived political leanings and affiliations may have complicated his prospects, as he is believed to be close to the BNP leadership.
Sources further revealed that prior to Shamim proceeding on LPR, NSA Rahman had attempted to move Principal Staff Officer in the Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hassan, to the CGS post. Hassan, however, is scheduled to go on LPR in September this year.
Simultaneously, the NSA had also proposed shifting Quarter Master General Lieutenant General Faizur Rahman to the post of PSO in the Armed Forces Division, replacing Hassan. These proposals were rejected by the Army Chief, sources said.
According to defence officials, Zaman viewed these moves as attempts to “constrain” his authority, particularly given that his tenure as Army chief runs until June 2027. He is also reportedly keen to prevent greater influence of pro-Pakistan elements within the Army.
The impasse over the CGS appointment continues, with political and strategic considerations adding to the sensitivity surrounding one of the most powerful posts in the Bangladesh Army.
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