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Leaked US Recording Fuels Claims of Brokered Bangladesh Power Transition

A leaked recording of a senior US diplomat has sparked a major controversy over Washington's alleged role in Bangladesh's recent political transition. The audio, which discusses engaging Islamist forces and the post-Hasina era, has led Awami League leaders to accuse the US of brokering the change in power. Former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury cited the leak as validation that Sheikh Hasina's ouster was not an organic process. Hasina was forced to flee to Delhi in August 2024 following a bloody student uprising that threw her administration into disarray.

Key Points: Leaked US Audio on Bangladesh Political Transition Sparks Row

  • Leaked US diplomat audio published by StratNews Global
  • Recording discusses engaging Islamist forces post-Hasina
  • Awami League alleges US role in power transition
  • Hasina fled to Delhi after student uprising
  • Calls grow to scrutinize US involvement
2 min read

Was B'desh's political transition brokered by US? Leaked recording kicks up row

A leaked US diplomatic recording ignites claims of Washington's role in Bangladesh's 2024 political upheaval and Sheikh Hasina's ouster.

"the audio goes to validate what the Awami League had long argued - that the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime was not an entirely organic process - Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury"

New Delhi, Jan 25

Months after the Sheikh Hasina government was ousted in Bangladesh by a student-led mass movement, a leaked diplomatic recording from the US has kicked up a fresh storm and also ignited a series of claims and counterclaims about the 2024 political upheaval in the neighbouring nation.

The leaked US diplomatic recording has put Washington at the centre of fresh accusations, as many from the Awami League have started pointing fingers over the former's alleged role in effecting a power transition in Bangladesh.

The recording, published by a leading daily, StratNews Global, has conversations of a senior US diplomat speaking about engaging Bangladesh's Islamist political forces and assessing the country's trajectory in the post-Hasina era.

This has intensified calls for scrutinising the US's role in Bangladesh and also given a handle to Awami League leaders to launch scathing attacks on Yunous regime for alleged collaboration.

Former Bangladesh education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, speaking at an event recently, said the audio goes to validate what the Awami League had long argued - that the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime was not an entirely organic process.

Notably, Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee her country on August 5, 2024, after a student uprising resulted in a bloody stir, throwing the administration into complete disarray. She has been living in Delhi after leaving Bangladesh.

Hasan Chowdhury further pointed out that the US diplomat's leaked audio conversation shows a 'brazen conspiracy' to manage post-election governments in Bangladesh and warned about the grave consequences arising from such a situation.

Taking strong exception to debarring of the Awami League from contesting elections, he said that excluding major political forces like the Awami League would disenfranchise large sections of the electorate, thus leading to an illegitimate government without a popular public mandate.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
If true, this is a classic case of double standards. The US lectures others on democracy but engages in backroom dealings to shape governments. The focus on engaging "Islamist political forces" is particularly worrying for a secular country like Bangladesh. Hope the truth comes out.
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Aman W
While external interference is wrong, let's not forget the massive public anger against Hasina's government that led to the uprising. It wasn't *just* foreign hands. The student movement was very real. We must balance this critique with the domestic context. 🇧🇩
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Sarah B
From a geopolitical perspective, this creates a tricky situation for India. A unstable or influenced Bangladesh impacts security and economic corridors. New Delhi must tread carefully in its response, supporting sovereignty while ensuring its own interests are protected. Complex diplomacy ahead.
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Nikhil C
The part about managing "post-election governments" is shocking. It shows a complete disregard for the will of the people. Bangladesh deserves better than to be a chessboard for great powers. Solidarity with our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters.
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Kavya N
We need to be cautious before jumping to conclusions. Leaked audio can be edited or taken out of context. Let's wait for an official response or more verification. However, the principle stands: no country should broker political transitions in another sovereign nation. Period.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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