BLA Leadership Change Exposes Internal Power Struggle

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) announced through a press release that its commander, Bashir Zeb Baloch had been relieved of his command and “will no longer serve as head of the organization”. The press release claims that an interim arrangement has been put into place, “until a new Commander-in-Chief is selected, all administrative, military and policy-making powers are entrusted to the Senior Command Council, described as the highest supreme body of BLA”. The announcement came amidst reports of internal disagreement within organization. There have been persistent reports of an ongoing power struggle within BLA. The change of command reflects this power struggle.

Among the various Baloch separatist groups there have been an ongoing disagreement over authority and organizational control. Reports suggest infighting over financial accountability of the commanders. There have been other reports suggesting that rival commanders are challenging the authority of the existing leaders of the militant movement. This has led to the emergence of offshoot group which calls itself the Reform Command Council (RCC).

Our sources tell us that Reform Command Council, which is reportedly aligned with Harbiyar Marri—who heads Free Balochistan Movement (FBM), a UK based separatist group—has consolidated its control over BLA. While at least six founding members of FBM have parted ways with Harbiyar Marri. This break away faction is more inclined toward Baloch Liberation Front—a militant organization led Allah Nazar Baloch.

There is every chance that story is likely to remain fluid as experts believe that the change of command doesn’t mean that internal power struggle has been resolved. The press release issued by BLA clearly states that the move to relieve Bashir Zeb Baloch of the command signals an end to hereditary politics. This part of the press release might indicate the presence of elements opposed to the leadership of hereditary tribal chiefs. It goes without saying that Harbiyar Marri is a son of Baloch tribal chief.

Three points in BLA press release are noteworthy which indicate that the change of command is the result of intense power struggle within the militant outfit. Firstly, the press release repeatedly emphasized that the decision of change command is a unanimous decision. The press release puts forward unusually lengthy and elaborate arguments in support of the constitutional legitimacy of the transition. Thirdly, the press release repeatedly insists that there has been no fragmentation or conflict over change of leadership within the militant organization.

Bashir Zeb Baloch was made the commander of BLA following the death of Aslam Baloch in December 2018. The BLA press release identifies the Aslam Baloch as a ideologue of the organization.

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