The Arakan Army (AA) has welcomed the Bangladesh government’s willingness to discuss the Rohingya refugee issue, though no formal communication has been made yet. The AA has expressed the need for dialogue to address the Rohingya matter.
The head of Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced yesterday the desire to open communication channels with the AA, which controls large areas of Rakhine State. This comes at a time when armed conflicts are intensifying in Rakhine, leading to an increase in refugees fleeing to Bangladesh, where millions of Rohingya have already sought refuge.
Although there has been no formal contact from the interim government of Bangladesh, AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha told VOA that as neighboring countries, it is essential to find mutual solutions on border stability and the Rohingya refugee issue.
"The Bangladesh government has not yet officially reached out to us, but as neighboring countries, we should work together on significant issues such as border stability, countering drug and human trafficking, combating terrorism, and addressing refugee matters," Khaing Thukha said.
Currently, the AA has taken control of Myanmar military camps along the Bangladesh border, and their ongoing offensive near Maungdaw—where most Rohingya reside—is leading to more refugees crossing the border.
Bangladeshi authorities reported that nearly 8,000 Rohingya refugees have fled in recent months. Despite their sympathy for the Rohingya, Bangladesh has decided to prevent further refugee inflows, citing a lack of capacity to provide humanitarian aid, said the head of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
While Bangladesh has expressed interest in discussing the repatriation of Rohingya refugees with the AA, political analyst U Tun Kyi from Rakhine stated that such discussions may not be practically feasible amidst ongoing conflict. "Even if talks happen, there is no certainty that the Muslim population will be able to return. The question is where and how they would be accommodated, who will take responsibility for their basic needs like food and shelter—whether it will be the UN or Bangladesh. There are many factors to consider. Nevertheless, I understand that AA would politically benefit from direct international engagement,” he said.
In 2017, mass human rights violations during the military’s clearance operations in Rakhine State forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Although Myanmar has signed separate Memoranda of Understanding with Bangladesh and the UN for the repatriation of the refugees, these efforts have yet to materialize. The Rohingya have consistently stated that they will only return if guaranteed safety, dignity, and basic human rights.
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