What are the causes and factors of the political crisis in Bangladesh?
Political developments in Bangladesh are still making headlines around the world. Even though the Supreme Court of Bangladesh backed down against protesting students and canceled job quotas for the families of independence victims, violent protests have continued, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has fled the country. Currently, military commanders have taken control of the situation, attempting to restore stability and security. General Waker al-Zaman, the commander of the Bangladesh Army, has promised to investigate the killings of dozens of protesters and reestablish stability, but given the long-standing rivalry between the two major parties in Bangladesh—the Awami League and the Nationalist Party—it’s unclear under what conditions stability will actually return.
The American publication Foreign Policy, in an analytical report, pointed out that “Bangladesh has a tough road ahead.” Analysts from other countries seem to share this sentiment, believing that issues like the shutdown of massive garment production units, which constitute the country’s largest industrial and export sector, as well as the uncertain status of Bangladeshi soldiers, who are a key source for UN peacekeeping forces, have complicated matters.
Jennifer Chaudhury, who has worked as a foreign correspondent in Bangladesh for a long time, believes that Bangladeshi students and youth have achieved a significant victory and have vowed that the interim government will act to protect civic and democratic institutions. However, political experts argue that amid the fierce rivalry between the two old political parties, there’s little choice but to rely on the military. Despite considerable internal tensions in Bangladesh over the past few decades, the army has managed to maintain its reputation as a national and neutral force, with many former commanders openly stating that using border forces to suppress opponents has worsened the situation and that efforts should be made to restore stability and security as soon as possible.
Family power: the Achilles’ heel of politics in Bangladesh
To accurately analyze the reasons behind the political crisis in Bangladesh, several factors must be considered. Significant issues such as Bangladesh’s geopolitical constraints, the influence of political approaches by leaders of India and Pakistan on Bangladeshi political groups, a large population, and the high costs of energy imports are all highly relevant. However, alongside these main factors, it is essential to address the issue of family and clan networks, as this has become one of the largest political problems in Bangladesh.
Since Bangladesh gained independence in 1971 through the efforts of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his associates, internal tensions have shifted in a way that members of the families of presidents, prime ministers, and politicians have all entered politics and played roles in the power dynamics. For instance, Sheikh Hasina was able to leverage her father’s social influence, allowing her to hold the position of prime minister and party leader for a long time after his assassination. On the other hand, Khaleda Zia entered the political scene due to her husband, who assassinated former president Ziaur Rahman, in 1981 and took the lead of the Nationalist Party of Bangladesh, also managing to serve as prime minister for an extended period. Therefore, the dominance of powerful families has always been a significant factor in the political crisis in Bangladesh.