The United States cleared its stance on recognition of the new government of Bangladesh, saying they would continue to work with the new government of Sheikh Hasina despite having been disappointed by the elections.
Deputy Spokesperson of the US Department of State Marie Harf made this statement regarding the Bangladesh elections and the new government at a regular briefing in Washington on Monday.
“We continue to work – of course we will, but while at the same time making clear our concerns with the election,” Harf said, replying to the questions as to whether the US would keep working with the new government.
The US has already made its disappointment in the elections clear, displaying scepticism in the degree to which the will of the Bangladeshi people was reflected by the polls.
Regarding the matter, Harf was asked – “Do you recognize the government after the elections?”
She said: “Well, that’s not exactly how it works. We obviously work with governments who are elected.”
“But in regards to these elections themselves, we have already made clear our disappointment with the elections, which in our view did not credibly reflect the will of the Bangladeshi people since almost all of the seats of the new parliament weren’t contested or had only token opposition. So we’ll make clear our concerns when we have them.”