The Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially announced on May 27 the recall of their Ambassador to Myanmar, Md. Monowar Hossain, and Defense Attaché, Brigadier General Aftab Hossain, from their posts in Yangon. Ambassador Monowar Hossain, who had been serving as Bangladesh’s envoy to Myanmar since September 2023, was instructed to return to Dhaka immediately. This sudden recall comes amid growing diplomatic tensions between the two neighboring countries, according to diplomatic sources familiar with the situation.
According to diplomatic experts, this development followed formal protests from the military council regarding alleged communications between the Arakan Army (AA), which controls territory in Rakhine State, and Bangladesh government officials. The military council had submitted an official diplomatic protest to Bangladesh expressing concerns about the situation in Rakhine State. The military council’s allegations about these connections have contributed to the deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two countries, leading to this significant diplomatic action by Bangladesh.
Defense Attaché Brigadier General Aftab Hossain had already been recalled by the Bangladesh government in early May. This simultaneous recall of both senior diplomatic officials represents a significant shift in bilateral relations and could have implications for regional political dynamics, according to diplomatic analysts. The current security situation in Rakhine State, border stability, and refugee issues remain key challenges between the two countries. The timing of these recalls highlights the complex nature of Myanmar-Bangladesh relations, particularly concerning border security, regional stability, and ongoing humanitarian concerns in the border regions.
