Bangladesh: Foreign secretary on his way out for not being 'in sync' with Yunus, Dhaka says not sacked

Cracks in Bangladesh's interim government are becoming more evident after reports are emerging that the government is set to replace its Foreign Secretary, Md Jashim Uddin. According to The Times of India, Uddin is reportedly being sacked from the post because he is “not in sync” with the country’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain.

As per the report, Uddin had opposed the initiative of a “humanitarian corridor” and “safe zone” for Rohingya refugees, which was being pushed by Yunus and his NSA, Khalilur Rahman and endorsed by the UN.

According to the information obtained by TOI, Uddin’s views aligned with the military brass, who fear the corridor could compromise the sovereignty of Bangladesh. Sources close to the matter claimed that Yunus and Rahman moved ruthlessly to “orchestrate” Uddin’s removal.

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It is pertinent to note that Uddin led the Bangladeshi side at FOC-level talks with Pakistan on April 17. During the talks, he had raised the issue of financial claim worth $4.32 billion from Pakistan as a “fair share” from assets of undivided Pakistan before 1971.

Bangladesh govt goes into defence mode

Commenting on the foreign secretary’s sacking, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said that there is “no issue of removal,” adding Uddin’s responsibility will be changed. According to United News Bangladesh, Hossain told reporters that Uddin himself wanted to leave the role.

“There is no issue of removal. He (FS) wants to leave this responsibility for various reasons. He is in the service. The responsibility will change. He will leave his current responsibility within the next couple of days,” Adviser Hossain told reporters while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When asked who would be replacing Uddin, the Bangladeshi foreign advisor said: “You will know this within the next couple of days.”

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However, local reports are suggesting that Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Asad Alam Siam is likely to be the next Foreign Secretary of the country. Siam will reportedly be picked as an acting Foreign Secretary until appointment of the new FS.

“There was a proposed list of three candidates,” a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB on Tuesday, noting that Ambassador Siam was chosen as the senior-most of the three candidates. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Switzerland, Tareq Md Ariful Islam, was also seen as one of the candidates for the role.