Charting Peace, Securing Borders: Bangladesh’s Post-Election Challenges in the Rohingya Crisis

Adviser for Shipping Brig Gen Samba way Hossain speaking at the roundtable as the chief guest on Sunday 17 November 2025.

The Foundation for Strategic and Development Studies (FSDS) and the Conflict and Resilience Research Institute (CRRIC) Jointly organized a roundtable titled, “Charting Peace, Securing Borders: Bangladesh’s Post-Election Challenges in the Rohingya Crisis” and signed a MoU in “Advancing Knowledge in Conflict Resolution and Peace through Security”. 

The event was held at the capital’s Sheraton Hotel. Advisor of Shipping and Labour and Employment Ministry Brig. Gen. (Retd.) M. Sakhawat Hussain was the Chief Guest of the roundtable. The roundtable was chaired by FSDS Chairman Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Fazle Elahi Akbar and distinguished speakers included Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, Professor Amena Mohsin, and with key speakers ranging from representatives from the Rohingya community, Additional Secretary Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, BNP International Cell Zeeba Amina Khan, former IGP Ashraful Huda etc. among others. 

Major General (Retd.) Fazle Elahi Akbar, ndc, psc, Chairman, FSDS

FSDS Chairman Major General (Retd.) Fazle Elahi Akbar stated in the roundtable that although Bangladesh has ensured shelter, safety and dignity for the Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds; the scale, duration and nature of the crisis have placed immense pressure on national resources, local communities and the overall security architecture.

He warned that the camps in Cox’s Bazar, now among the world’s largest refugee settlements, are facing rising environmental degradation, increased crime, expanding transnational trafficking networks and growing risks of extremism- all of which require vigilance and coordinated action.

The meeting presented 12 recommendations including the formulation of a National Rohingya Strategy under a unified coordination framework integrating humanitarian, security, and diplomatic components; appointment of a National Rohingya Response Coordinator; establishment of a permanent inter-ministerial response unit; strengthened coordination with UN agencies and NGOs; development of an integrated diplomatic strategy; creation of regional platforms with Myanmar, China, India, and ASEAN; reconciliation initiatives among Rohingya, Rakhine and other Myanmar ethnic groups; and linking repatriation to broader regional development plans.

Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Shafaat Ahmed, ndc, psc, PhD 

Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Shafaat Ahmed, who moderated the session, called for a unified, rights-based strategy to address the Rohingya crisis, citing humanitarian pressures and emerging security risks. He also emphasized that repatriation must ensure full recognition and rights for the Rohingyas in Myanmar. Key priorities prescribed were –  a national repatriation strategy, stronger coordination, and greater international responsibility-sharing. Finally, he called on the policy – makers to reaffirm their commitment to stability and a sustainable long-term solution.

Dr. Kawser Ahmed, Executive Director, CRRIC 

The Executive Director of CRRIC, at the high-level policy dialogue, highlighted Bangladesh’s urgent need for a clear long-term strategy on the Rohingya crisis amid shifting regional geopolitics. Emphasizing that repatriation with dignity remained the only viable solution as donor fatigue grew and camp conditions became increasingly unsustainable. He also introduced the “Rakhine Reconstruction Plan”, a research-driven framework developed with national and international partners to support future return. He urged Bangladesh to proactively position itself in regional power dynamics and adopt coherent policies to ensure national security and stability.

Professor Imtiaz Ahmed. Executive Director, Center for Alternatives (CA)

Professor Imtiaz Ahmed outlined a five-phase framework for developing a comprehensive “Rakhine Reconstruction Plan”, linking Rohingya repatriation to wider regional development. He emphasized the need for research-driven strategies across agriculture, education, energy, health and infrastructure to prepare conditions for dignified and sustainable return. He noted that existing bilateral, multilateral and legal pathways had stalled, underscoring the urgency for innovative and incentive-based approaches beyond traditional diplomacy. Finally, called for public–private partnerships, multi-track engagement and collaboration with Bangladeshi institutions to advance long-term solutions.

Professor Amena Mohsin, Former Chairperson, International Relations, Dhaka University 

She emphasized the urgent need for investment in border studies, multi-track diplomacy and technology-driven research collaboration. She underscored that sustainable peace required addressing structural issues across borders and engaging regional organizations such as ASEAN, BIMSTEC and SAARC. She called for people-centered approaches to shape a more inclusive and peaceful future for the Rohingya community.

Professor ASM Ali Ashraf, Chairman, Department of International relations, University of Dhaka 

Emphasizing that the Rohingya crisis remained Bangladesh’s top foreign policy and regional security challenge, he called for a dedicated Special Envoy, coordinated strategy across all stakeholders and inclusion of Track 2 actors to ensure meaningful repatriation and long-term peace in Rakhine. He stressed that addressing border security, cross-border trafficking and engagement with Myanmar civil society were essential for a sustainable solution.

Sayed Ullah, President of the United Council of the Rohingyas 

Rohingya representative Sayed Ullah highlighted the urgent need for unified international action as the community faced continued systematic persecution, including a second wave of genocide in 2024. He stressed that the Rohingya crisis was no longer a humanitarian issue alone but a regional security challenge requiring coordinated engagement with both optimistic and hostile actors. He emphasized the importance of building collective strength before entering dialogue with powerful stakeholders such as the Myanmar military, China, India and ASEAN. 

Zeeba Amina Khan, International Cell, BNP 

Underscored the urgent need for global leadership to address the prolonged Rohingya crisis, now in its eighth year. Highlighting rapid population increases in the camps and growing regional tensions, she emphasized that the crisis was no longer Bangladesh’s burden alone but a broader international security concern. She drew attention to major geopolitical infrastructural and development projects involving India and China, stressing that stability in Rakhine was essential for regional connectivity and safety. She called for a “two-state” solution for Rohinga Crisis in the Rakhine State for a long term solution. 

Ambassador Nasim Ferdous 

The former ambassador highlighted decades of missed diplomatic opportunities in engaging Myanmar, ASEAN and key regional powers on the Rohingya crisis. Reflecting on historical gaps in Bangladesh’s foreign policy approach, she emphasized the urgent need for clearer policy articulation, stronger regional engagement and proactive diplomatic outreach. She stressed that Bangladesh must expand its foreign policy framework, revive strategic engagement with ASEAN, and explore new channels, including trilateral or regional cooperation to address the crisis effectively. 

Khin Maung, Rohingya Representative 

The Rohingya representative Khin Maung reaffirmed that Bangladesh would make no compromises on its core national interests while addressing the Rohingya crisis. He emphasized that durable solutions must prioritize empowerment of the Rohingya community, restoration of their rights and land and protection against long-standing violence in Rakhine. He highlighted that neither the Myanmar military nor the Arakan Army currently demonstrate genuine political will to resolve the issue, creating serious long-term security threats for Bangladesh. He stressed that only a rights-based, community-led and internationally supported approach can ensure sustainable repatriation and regional stability.

Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC)

Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Additional Secretary, Office of the Refugee, Relief and Repatriation, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, emphasized the urgent need for a clear and coordinated national policy framework to address the protracted Rohingya crisis. He clarified long-standing misconceptions about population figures and inflow timelines, reaffirming that Bangladesh’s registration system provided accurate and scientific data. With more than 1.2 million displaced people now in the country, he highlighted serious operational challenges, the absence of a dedicated institutional mechanism and the growing security risks along the border. He urged the next government to establish a specialized body to lead policy, diplomacy, and regional engagement, and reiterated that repatriation and not integration in Bangladesh remained the only sustainable solution.

Brig. General M. Sakhawat Hussain, Advisor, Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh 

Shipping and Labour and Employment Advisor Brig. Gen. M. Sakhawat Hussain was the Chief Guest of the event. He recounted his days as a serving official near the border region when the influx of 1992 took place. He claimed that Rohingya Crisis required a Track 1.5 diplomacy and criticized the foreign ministry for the diplomatic failure in the Rohingya situation. He proposed that instead of a “two-state” solution, Rohingyas should focus on a Mrauk-U frontier consisting of a self-administered region for the Rohingyas. - Press release 

Dr. Isharaf Hossain, Secretary General, FSDS 

In the concluding remark, Dr. Isharaf Hossain, President of the Muslim World Research Center, Malaysia, advocated that Bangladesh urgently needed a comprehensive national strategy to address the Rohingya crisis, something that has been missing for the past eight years. Critiquing the practice of stakeholders working in isolation and without a unified policy framework, he said that no meaningful progress had been achieved. He stressed that for any solution to succeed, all stakeholders must align under one coordinated plan. Lastly, he urged that Bangladesh must adopt pragmatic, actionable policies instead of continuing with trial-and-error approaches that waste valuable time.