The Great Repatriation Mirage: Dr Yunus’s Eid-Day Fairytale
For over five decades, the Rohingya people have been fleeing persecution in Myanmar, seeking refuge in Bangladesh. Their numbers have swelled, but a solution remains as elusive as ever. The world knows about this crisis, countless high-level discussions have been held, yet not a single meaningful step has been taken toward their safe and dignified return. The reason? Global politics, backroom deals, and strategic indifference.Now, amidst dwindling international aid and rising desperation, Dr. Muhammad Yunus has entered the scene with a dramatic, headline-grabbing promise. Standing beside UN Secretary-General António Guterres, he addressed the Rohingya in their own language, boldly declaring that they would be sent back to their homeland before next year’s Eid. A problem that has defied resolution for over 50 years—he now claims he will fix in just one.
Who Holds the Strings? The Real Power Players Stay Silent
Repatriation isn’t Bangladesh’s burden alone, yet the nation finds itself at the centre of an issue global powers are happy to ignore. The UN, despite its lofty statements, lacks the teeth to enforce solutions. Meanwhile, the real kingmakers—India, China, and Myanmar’s junta—remain conspicuously uninvolved. Without their buy-in, Dr Yunus’s repatriation pledge has no more weight than a campaign slogan. If Myanmar isn’t the intended destination, then where exactly is this ‘home’ he envisions?
A Dangerous Proposition: A New State on Bangladesh’s Border?
Whispers of an independent Rakhine state led by armed groups like the Arakan Army have surfaced. If such a state emerges, Bangladesh may be pressured into recognizing it and relocating the Rohingya there. But at what cost? The creation of a volatile, unstable neighbor would have catastrophic geopolitical implications for Bangladesh. Border disputes could erupt, territorial integrity could be threatened, and a fragile state could spiral into perpetual conflict. And even if such a state were formed, why would the Rohingya agree to return to a war zone instead of cementing their presence in Bangladesh?
Safe Passage or Diplomatic Trap?
The UN’s suggestion of ‘safe passage’ through Bangladesh for Rohingya refugees adds yet another layer of danger. Framed as a humanitarian effort, it could in reality transform Bangladesh into a transit hub for geopolitical maneuvers, pulling the country deeper into an international quagmire. Instead of easing the crisis, it could further entangle Bangladesh in an unwinnable game.
The Press Gag: Silence in the Face of Hard Questions
Transparency? A foreign concept in this narrative. During the UN Secretary-General’s final press conference, most diplomatic journalists were left out. Instead, a select few—handpicked by Dr Yunus’s administration—were allowed to participate, ensuring that no difficult questions on human rights abuses, extremism, or state failures could be raised. This was not an open dialogue—it was a scripted performance.
A History of Smoke and Mirrors
This is not Dr Yunus’s first foray into political showmanship. His administration has a track record of grand claims—billions in flood relief that never materialized, foreign investments that vanished into thin air, and now, a Rohingya repatriation promise that seems destined to share the same fate. The UN Secretary-General’s visit, rather than being a meaningful step forward, appears to be yet another chapter in a long history of media-driven deception.
What’s the Real Game Here?
Dr. Yunus isn’t naive. He knows his promise is impossible. But then why say it?The timing is suspicious. The UN recently slashed food aid for Rohingya refugees, fueling anger and unrest in the camps. Did Yunus simply throw them a false promise to defuse tensions? Or is this part of a larger political maneuver—a carefully crafted distraction to shift focus away from his own controversies?Either way, the damage is done. By playing to the media, Dr. Yunus may have just pushed Bangladesh further into an inescapable geopolitical trap. And the worst part? Bythe time his promised deadline arrives, he may not even be around to face the consequences.
(Writer: Former Bangldeshi Diplomat and Security Analyst)