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Aziz Ahmed (general)

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This article is about the former Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff. For the Pakistani diplomat, see Aziz Ahmed (civil servant).

General (Retd.)
Aziz Ahmed
SBP(BAR), BSP
আজিজ আহমেদ
Ahmed in 2018
16th Chief of Army Staff
In office
25 June 2018 – 24 June 2021
PresidentAbdul Hamid
Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina
Preceded byBelal Shafiul Haque
Succeeded byShafiuddin Ahmed
20th Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh
In office
5 December 2012 – 1 November 2016
President
Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina
Preceded byAnwar Hussain
Succeeded byAbul Hossain
Personal details
Born (1961-01-01) 1 January 1961 (age 63)
Narayanganj, East Pakistan, Pakistan
Alma mater
Awards Senabahini Padak (SBP)
Bishishto Seba Padak (BSP)
Independence Day Award
Military service
Allegiance Bangladesh
Branch/service Bangladesh Army
Border Guard Bangladesh
Years of service1983 - 2021
Rank General
UnitRegiment of Artillery
Commands
Battles/warsUNIKOM, UNMIS

Aziz Ahmed SBP (BAR) (Bengali: আজিজ আহমেদ; born 1 January 1961) is a retired Bangladeshi four star general who was the Chief of Army Staff (CAS) of the Bangladesh Army from 25 June 2018 to 24 June 2021. He was succeeded by General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed on 24 June 2021.[1]

In May 2024, United States imposed sanctions on Ahmed and his immediate family members on allegation of his involvement in corruption.[2] As a result, they will be ineligible for entry into the US.[3]

Early life and education

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Ahmed was born on 1 January 1961 in Narayanganj District.[4] His ancestral home is in the village of Tarki in Sultanabad Union, Matlab Uttar Upazila, Chandpur District. His father Abdul Wadud worked in the Biman Bangladesh Airlines.[5] His mother was Renuja Begum. He completed his SSC from Mohammadpur Government High School in 1977 and HSC from Notre Dame College, Dhaka. He also joined the engineering course in Textile Technology from College of Textile Technology (which is presently known as Bangladesh University of Textiles) in 1980. And in 1983, he completed his B.sc. from Chittagong University.

Military career

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Ahmed joined the Bangladesh Military Academy on 7 August 1981 in 8th BMA long course, and was commissioned in the regiment of artillery on 10 June 1983. He is a graduate of Defence Services Command and Staff College (Bangladesh). He completed his master's degree in defense studies, and MSc (Technical) from National University and also completed a Masters in Business Administration (Executive) from American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB).[4] He earned a PhD degree on "Border Management Challenges of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB): Issues in Transnational Threat". The degree was approved at the academic council and syndicate meeting of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP).[6]

On 10 June 1983, Ahmed received his commission in the Regiment of Artillery from the Bangladesh Military Academy. He had been an Artillery Troop Leader (1983–1984), Gun Position Officer (1984–1986), GSO-3 (Operation) in 69 Infantry Brigade, CHT (1986–1988), Battery Captain (1988–1990), attended the Junior Command Course in Army War College, Mhow (1989–1990), brigade major in an infantry brigade (1990–1991), Artillery Battery Commander (1991–1993), GSO-II in AHQ Military Training Directorate and GSO-I of AHQ Pay Pension & Allowance Directorate. Ahmed commanded one Artillery Regiment (1998–2000), one BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) Battalion in 2009, one BDR Sector (2009–2010), two Artillery brigades including an Independent Air Defense Artillery Brigade (2010–2012). He also served as instructor for more than seven years (2001–2008) at the Artillery Center & School and the School of Military Intelligence.

As a Major General, Ahmed commanded the 33rd Infantry Division in Comilla (May to December 2012). He was appointed as Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on 5 December 2012.[7] Under his command, Ahmed claims the BGB raised four regional headquarters, 15 battalions and established 108 new border outposts covering 310 kilometres (190 mi) unguarded border with India and Myanmar along the border in Chittagong Hill Tracts area, two floating outposts in the Sundarbans.[8]

During his tenure, a total of 18,000 new soldiers were recruited, including the first 100 female recruits in the BGB.[9]

Ahmed also served as an observer for the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) and a military adviser to the force commander of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).[7]

On 16 November 2016, Ahmed was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed as GOC of ARTDOC.[10][11]

On 9 January 2018, Ahmed was appointed as Quarter Master General (QMG) of Bangladesh Army at Army Headquarters.

Chief of Army Staff

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General Ahmed with then Indian Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat (2018)

On 25 June 2018, Ahmed was promoted to the rank of General and was appointed to replace Gen. Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq as Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army.[12] He retired from Bangladesh Army on 24 June 2021.[13] After the appointment of Ahmed, the Bangladesh Army witnessed important reforms.[14] During his tenure, the Bangladesh Army has participated in 54 UN peace-keeping missions in 40 countries.[15] He also facilitated the signing of a non-binding agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia[16] for military cooperation and support that includes the deployment of Bangladeshi troops in Saudi Arabia.[17] Ahmed played a vital role in normalizing the then BDR force after the Bangladesh Rifles revolt.[18] He reinstated confidence on the newly formed BGB. Ahmed took initiative to launch 'Shimanto Bank'- a welfare project for the betterment of Border Guards of Bangladesh.[18]

Personal life

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Ahmed is married to Begum Dilshad Nahar Aziz [19] and the couple has three sons.[20]

Ahmed had 5 brothers including younger brother Tofail Ahmed Joseph, a convicted criminal.[21] In 2017, media reported that Joseph had spent 20 months in hospital, allegedly without any medical reason, and in privileged conditions.[22] He was transported back to the jail from hospital when the issue was raised.[23] He was given a presidential pardon on 30 May 2018, in order to undergo medical treatment in India.[21] Two other brothers, Harris (or Haris) and Anis Ahmed, were also named as accomplices in the murder of Mostafa,[20] and a fourth sibling, Sayeed Ahmed Tipu, was shot dead by assailants in the 1990s.[23][22]

Controversies

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On 1 February 2021, Qatar-based Al Jazeera broadcast a one-hour long investigative documentary by David Bergman, son-in-law of prominent Bangladeshi politician Kamal Hossain and Journalist Zulkarnain Saer Khan titled All the Prime Minister's Men,[24] which revealed how Ahmed protected his brothers, Haris and Anis Ahmed, after they fled abroad to escape law enforcement despite them both being currently wanted by Bangladeshi law enforcement. In addition, leaked documents obtained by Al Jazeera revealed how Aziz used officers to help Haris create a false identity, which was then used to set up businesses in Europe and buy properties around the world.[25]

In other video recordings, Aziz's brother Haris boasts of profits he made from military contracts using his brother's power as army chief to extract bribes.[26] The documentary also provided photographic evidence that in March 2019, Harris and Anis visited Dhaka for the wedding of Aziz's son, where the two fugitives partied alongside Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid and foreign dignitaries during an opulent ceremony.[20]

The documentary has been publicly denounced by the Bangladesh government, and the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh has hinted at taking legal steps against Al Jazeera on this accord.[27] Bangladesh Army Headquarters condemned Al Jazeera report and told it was false, abusive, politically motivated to disrupt the harmony among different government organs of the country.[28] UN Secretary-General's spokesman comments on the report in response to a question and said, it should be investigated by the relevant authorities.[29]

In an audio recording broadcast by Al Jazeera, Ahmed admitted to gain financially for being Chief of Army Staff, and wants to use that money to travel overseas and enjoy lavish life.[20]

Ahmed had offered the military's contract and better position for police forces in return for monetary gains from the lucrative contract.[30][31]

The Guardian reported that Ahmed instigated voter suppression in the 2014 general election in Bangladesh.[32] Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has maintained a peculiar relationship with Ahmed.[30] Hasina's party won the election landslide due to Border Guard deployment in the countries, and the use of the Border Guard to torture and discourage opposition voters from entering the polling stations.[26] In return, in 2018, Hasina promoted Ahmed as the Chief of Army Staff.[33][34]

Human Rights Watch United Nations reported a long pattern of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and torture by the Bangladesh Army under Ahmed's control.[26] New information suggests the Bangladesh military is in the government's abusive surveillance tactics at home by an Israeli-made surveillance system procured under the command of Ahmed.[35][26]

On 20 May 2024, United States Department of State imposed sanctions on Aziz and immediate family members for significant corruption in Bangladesh, barring them from entering the United States.[36][37]

References

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  1. ^ "New army chief SM Shafiuddin adorned with rank badge of General". Dhaka Tribune. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  2. ^ Ritzen, Yarno. "US blacklists ex-Bangladesh general named in Al Jazeera investigation". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  3. ^ "US imposes ban on ex-army chief General Aziz Ahmed". Prothom Alo. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Chief of Army Staff". Bangladesh Army. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  5. ^ "Ex-BGB Director General Aziz Ahmed named new army chief". bdnews24.com. 18 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Army chief earns PhD". Dhaka Tribune. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed new BGB director general". The Daily Star. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  8. ^ Khan, Mohammad Jamil (8 November 2016). "Outgoing BGB chief unhappy with border killing, Felani trial". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Outgoing BGB chief unhappy with border killing, Felani trial". Dhaka Tribune. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  10. ^ "Ex-BGB DG Aziz Ahmed promoted to Lt Gen". Daily Sun. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  11. ^ "Maj Gen Abul Hossain appointed Border Guard Bangladesh chief". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  12. ^ "Aziz Ahmed made new Army Chief". The Daily Star. Dhaka. 18 June 2018.
  13. ^ "Bangladesh names Lt General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed as next army chief". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  14. ^ Chowdhury, Imran (7 May 2019). "New Era of Bangladesh Army under a Dynamic Skipper". Daily Sun. Dhaka. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  15. ^ Aziz, Ahmed (23 May 2019). "Increased interoperability of land forces with allies and partners: A Bangladesh perspective". The Daily Star (Opinion). Dhaka. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  16. ^ Bhuiyan, Humayun (15 February 2019). "Dhaka, Riyadh sign defense MoU". Dhaka Tribune. Dhaka. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  17. ^ "Military Cooperation: Dhaka, Riyadh sign MoU". The Daily Star. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  18. ^ a b "Colourful Career of the Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh Army". The Daily Bangladesh. Dhaka. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  19. ^ "Dilshad Nahar Aziz, wife of Chief of Army Staff". The Financial Express (Bangladesh). Dhaka. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  20. ^ a b c d Bergman, David (4 February 2021). "Bangladesh's army chief and a tale of revenge". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  21. ^ a b "General Aziz Ahmed named new Army Chief of Bangladesh". India Today. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  22. ^ a b "Top criminal Joseph freed from jail on presidential mercy". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  23. ^ a b "President pardons top terror Joseph". The Daily Star. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  24. ^ "Gang close to Bangladesh PM extracts bribes for state contracts". Al Jazeera. 1 February 2021.
  25. ^ "The Trouble With Bangladesh's Military". The Diplomat. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  26. ^ a b c d "UN: Grave Allegations Involving Visiting Bangladesh Army Chief". Human Rights Watch. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  27. ^ Bhuiyan, Akif. "Bangladesh weighing legal steps against Al Jazeera". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  28. ^ "Army HQ condemns Al Jazeera report". The Daily Star. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  29. ^ "UN calls for Bangladesh army probe after Al Jazeera investigation". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Bangladesh's government lavishes money on the army". The Economist. 11 February 2021. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  31. ^ "UN Calls for Probe into Allegations against Bangladesh Army Chief". Benar News. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  32. ^ "Bangladesh election violence throws country deeper into turmoil". The Guardian. Associated Press. 6 January 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  33. ^ "Investigative documentary blows the lid off corruption at the heart of Bangladesh government". Netra News. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  34. ^ "Judge, Jury, and Executioner: Torture and Extrajudicial Killings by Bangladesh's Elite Security Force". Human Rights Watch. 13 December 2006.
  35. ^ "Bangladesh bought spyware from Israeli surveillance company". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  36. ^ Miller, Matthew (20 May 2024). "Designation of Former Bangladeshi Official for Significant Corruption". United States Department of State. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  37. ^ "US slaps sanctions on ex-army chief Aziz, family". The Daily Star. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
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