Military Reshuffle Boosts Army Chief

June 2008 | Risk Summary

A military reshuffle on June 2 strengthened the position of army chief General Moeen U Ahmed. Principal Staff Officer Lt-Gen. Masud Uddin Chowdhury, Moeen's main rival, was transferred to the National Defence College and thence to the Foreign Ministry, where he is expected to serve as an ambassador. The move reduces the risk of a coup within the armed forces. Moeen's term as army chief had already been extended from June 15 2008 to June 15 2009, meaning that he will oversee the July local elections and the December 2008 general elections.

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