Moeen U Ahmed

General Moeen U Ahmed , ndc, psc
File:General Moeen.jpg
Native name	মঈন উদ্দিন আহমেদ
Born	21 January 1953(1953-01-21)
Place of birth	Noakhali
Allegiance	Bangladesh
Service/branch	Bangladesh Army
Years of service	1975–2009
Rank	General
Commands held	GOC: - 19 Infantry division, Mymensingh 24 Infantry division, Chittagong Chief of General Staff Chief of Army Staff
Battles/wars	Counter Insurgency Operation in Chittagong Hill Tracts, UN Peacekeeping Missions.
Relations	Naznin Moeen (wife) Nihat Ahmed and Sabrina Ahmed (children)

General Moeen Uddin Ahmed (Bengali:মঈন উদ্দিন আহমেদ) was Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army from 15 June 2005 to 15 June 2009. Previously, he worked as in diplomatic mission in Pakistan as a Defence Attaché, prior to that he served as a UN Peacekeeper in United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda. General Moeen was the first to become the Army Chief from among the officers commissioned in independent Bangladesh and also the first established four-star general after liberation war. General Moeen U. Ahmed is believed to be the main pillar behind the country's Caretaker government in 2008, which declared an emergency period in the country for nearly two years and imprisoned nearly all political leaders of the country, including the Sheikh Hasina and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. His period of service was expanded once for 1-year. Later on, he retired from office on 15 June 2009 and handed over power to General Muhammad Abdul Mubeen, psc, ndc. Upon retirement, Moeen intended to become Bangladesh's representative to the UN, which the ruling Awami League denied.

Military career

Moeen U Ahmed is a graduate of PAF Public School Sargodha in the erstwhile West Pakistan. He belonged to the 16th entry (831 – Fury House), which stayed there from 1965 to 1970.

General Moeen U Ahmed, ndc, psc, the former Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh Army started his military career in January 1975. He was commissioned in the 2nd East Bengal Regiment, a battalion that was raised on 7 February 1949. His service profile started as Distinguished "Chief of Army Staff's Cane" holder of the pioneer Short Service Course-1 from Bangladesh Military Academy. General Moeen has the experience of commanding all echelons and levels of command commensurate to his rank from the Platoon Commander to General Officer Commanding of Infantry Division.

His service profile is a combination of important command, staff and instructional appointments. He started his instructional career as Weapon Training Officer and then Platoon Commander in Bangladesh Military Academy. He then served as Brigade Major of an Infantry Brigade.

Besides commanding two infantry battalions as Lieutenant Colonel, he also served as Grade One Staff Officer in Army Headquarters, Military Operations Directorate. As a Colonel, he served as Colonel Staff of an Infantry Division. A veteran Instructor, General Moeen has served in Defence Services Command and Staff College in three terms as Directing Staff in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Senior Instructor of Army Wing in the rank of Colonel and Chief Instructor in the rank of Brigadier.

Moeen became army chief, cancelling a senior general Rezzakul Haider PSC's appointment after the file was signed by Prime Minister and on way to President for approval using his batch mate in army Major Sayeed Eskandar (Retd.), brother of Khaleda Zia. He also used then outgoing army chief Lt. Gen. Hasan Mashud Chowdhury in his favor. Besides, Moudud Ahmed, Barkatullah Bulu and some other Noakhali people worked for him to make army chief. Moeen entered army with corruption as his height was below. He used RAW in his favor and at the same time he bluffed ISI, saying that he was posted Defence Counsellor in Islamabad during Awami League period in 1996–2001. Under that rule of Sheikh Hasina, he was superseded by General Abdul Wadud. Sheikh Hasina was informed that Moeen U, Ahmed was made army chief by Khaleda Zia, superseding nine senior army officers.

Maj. Gen. Aminul Karim played main role in favour of Gen. Moeen to take over and made plot to kill Adviser Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury on 26 February 2007 and 7 September 2007 while Maj. Gen. Amin gave life threat to Chowdhury on 15 September 2008 in London they used intelligence agency and uniformed people for the purpose.

Involvement in politics with uniform

Lt. Gen. Moeen was the key force behind the declaration of emergency in the country on 11 January 2007 widely known as 1/11 phenomenon. He upgraded his rank from Lt. General to General during his illegal tenure when there was no regular government; the caretaker government is not mandated to work other than routine work and managing parliamentary elections. He also extended his tenure of army chief, which is fixed for a time period, for one year in same way. He has been accused of playing a controversial role by helping the caretaker government of Bangladesh to retain power after constitution stipulated three months' duration. Although never publicly admitted, he has been identified as the main driving force behind the non-elected government but he has also been praised for arranging voter ID cards before 29 December 2008. He and the government has been accused domestically and globally to de-politicise the country. Hundreds of political figures, including two ex-prime ministers, ministers, lawmakers and local government heads, have been imprisoned by the regime accusing them of corruption. Although some of these figures were notoriously corrupt, most of them do not have any specific allegation against them. The regime's anti-corruption drive has been widely praised and criticised around the globe. Reacting his political statement Sheikh Hasina said if you have ambition to do politics come without uniform.

However, he raised much controversy during the tenure. Some quarters also hold him responsible for degrading Army's fame and reputation among the general mass. He arguably also displayed non-soldier like attitude both during and after the tenure. Moeen U Ahmed trid to sell property in Bangladesh and gladly received US Green Card. Presidential Adviser Mukhles Chowdhury alleged that the incident of 1/11 caused serious harm to the morale and professionalism of the army, which was used for serving personal interest. Political parties observed 11 January as a black day

Own brand democracy

Moeen assured Hussain Muhammad Ershad to make him the President and breached the agreement. As he betrayed Ershad, Dr Kamal Hossain, B Chowdhury and Dr Muhammad Younus, he was also betrayed by Hasina. Moeen has some advisors like Matiur Rahman, Mahfuz Anam and A M M Bahauddin. They helped Moeen in implementing 'Minus Two Formulae' Moeen published a political book with uniform and he gave formula of own brand democracy beyond his capacity and jurisdiction violating his service code and the constitution. Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury was against Moeen's plan to declare Martial Law and he made it impossible by mobilising international support. Moeen ousted de facto head of the state Mukhles Chowdhury from power and ruled the country for two years. making the President a puppet. Moeen wanted to be the President Moreover, he sent Brigadier General Fazlul Bari to US State Department after coup of 11 January 2007 to take approval of Martial Law or allow him to be the President, which was written by Daily Manabzamin Chief Editor later. Moeen formed a political front 'Jago Bangladesh' when he was army chief. He was born in Chittagong District, but he hails from Noakhali.

Family life

He is married to Naznin Moeen, and they have a son and a daughter; Nihat Ahmed and Sabrina Ahmed.^{[citation needed]}

External links

• General Moeen U Ahmed takes over as Army Chief

• Bangladesh army chief's tenure extended
• Cliffhanger in Bangladesh