Wednesday, May 21
When journalists inquired about the humanitarian corridor in Rakhine, Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain said, “Do not ask me any questions about this.” Meanwhile, at another press briefing, National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman has been offering various flimsy justifications in support of implementing the humanitarian corridor.
Khalilur Rahman, a U.S. citizen, claims that the United Nations is providing unconditional humanitarian aid to Rohingyas inside Bangladesh. Therefore, according to him, the UN earnestly requests the current illegitimate occupying government of Bangladesh to open a corridor or humanitarian aid channel within Cox’s Bazar district. This corridor would facilitate the delivery of rations and military supplies to the Arakan Army.
This appeal by the UN can be seen in the same light as when UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged the suspension of Bangladeshi peacekeeping missions during the July conspiracy period involving the Bangladesh Army.
UN’s dual messages:
To the Advisory Council:
“We’re giving aid for Rohingyas—so you (Bangladesh) must allow a corridor to support the Arakan Army.”
To the Bangladesh Army:
“If you obstruct the implementation of the meticulously designed July conspiracy, your peacekeeping missions will be shut down.”
It is noteworthy that this illegitimate Advisory Council is imposing its decisions upon Bangladesh. Dr. Muhammad Yunus is the only head of government in Bangladesh’s history who has appointed someone outside the armed forces to the role of National Security Advisor. Particularly alarming is that this crucial post has been assigned to a foreign national — a U.S. citizen — raising nationwide concern about national security.
All vital security-related documents have reportedly been handed over by Yunus to this U.S. citizen, a move that effectively compromises Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
Shockingly, the political parties in Bangladesh are only offering verbal protests; when it comes to real resistance, they appear paralyzed — like lifeless bodies. Instead, their focus is on securing Ishraq’s position as mayor. They are blocking roads and causing public suffering, day after day, in pursuit of a single post. Is this indulgence the political value system we now accept as being for the public good?
Bangladesh’s sovereignty is being eroded. Mere protests are no longer enough — it’s time to act. In the current context, resisting this authoritarian grip is the only path to truly liberate Bangladesh.
