Bangladesh Coup Rumors Swirl

Army Chief to Address Nation Amid Protests

Bangladesh's military has a long history of staging coups, but in recent years it has taken a less overt role. Now, with protests calling for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation, rumors of a coup are swirling again.

The rumors began circulating after the army chief, General Aziz Ahmed, announced that he would address the nation on television. The announcement came after days of protests in which demonstrators have called for Hasina to step down. The protests were sparked by the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its crackdown on dissent.

Some analysts believe that the army may be preparing to stage a coup. They point to the fact that the military has a history of intervening in politics in Bangladesh. In 1975, a group of mid-ranking army officers assassinated President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family. The military also played a role in the overthrow of President Ershad in 1990.

However, other analysts believe that the army is unlikely to stage a coup. They point to the fact that the military has been more professionalized in recent years and that it is unlikely to want to get involved in politics again. They also note that the current protests do not appear to be as widespread or as well-organized as previous protests that have led to coups.

It remains to be seen whether the army will stage a coup. However, the rumors of a coup are a reminder of the fragile state of democracy in Bangladesh.