Distinguished Professor Ali Riaz has published an essay in the South Asian Voices (SAV) on the current political situation in Bangladesh. In the essay titled What’s Next in Bangladeshi Politics? Riaz argues that recent demonstrations by opposition political parties in the wake of economic crisis is not only a protest against the economic mismanagement of the government, but also against the growing authoritarian style of the ruling Bangladesh Awami League (BAL). The BAL, led by Sheikh Hasina, has been in power since 2009. Two elections held in 2014 and 2018 have been described by international media as seriously flawed.
Since July 2022, Bangladesh has witnessed a severe energy crisis and price hike of essentials, it has requested IMF to provide a $4.5 billion loan to face the economic crisis. The government has resorted to further persecution of opposition activists since this round of protests began in late July. Riaz insists that the escalating face-off between the government and the opposition will likely lead to heightened violence in the coming months, further persecution of critics by the government, and the potential weakening of the ruling party’s grip over the situation. The worsening economic crisis may create a large pool of disgruntled citizens who will look for avenues to register their grievances, while the ruling party will try to keep the situation under its control by all means necessary, according to Riaz.
South Asian Voices is published by the Washington-based think tank Stimson Center.
