Vox Pop: Could proposed talks between Arakan Army and NUG bear fruit?

By DMG 29 Mar 2022

DMG, 29 March 2022

Last week, the anti-junta National Unity Government (NUG) extended an offer to the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) to hold informal talks, with a focus on how best to go about overthrowing Myanmar’s military regime and establishing a federal democracy.

The ULA/AA has not yet responded to the NUG’s proposal, which has nonetheless attracted significant interest in Arakan State among politicians and average citizens alike.

U Aung Thaung Shwe || Former lawmaker

On the question of how it will impact Arakanese people and the AA, it depends on politicians from the ULA/AA. It is necessary to be open to holding talks with any group if you are to engage in politics and revolution. Only after discussion can the possible effects be determined. There will be impacts based on the results of the discussion. The ULA/AA should hold talks. Politically, the offer to hold talks should be accepted.

As to the Arakan issue, the NUG previously ignored the ULA/AA, which plays an important role in Arakan State. Now they have changed and they have offered to hold talks. In my opinion, they have offered talks because they think it is necessary.

Saw San Nyein Thu || Chairwoman || Rakhaing Women’s Initiative Organization (RWIO)

It is part of the NUG’s policy to hold talks with the AA. The NUG does not represent a particular ethnic group, but claims to represent all [stakeholders]. I don’t want to speculate on what benefit the AA might get from holding talks with the NUG. In solving problems through political means, it is advisable to meet with those who should be met with, so as to make way for political progress.

A ceasefire has been observed and the peace process has been initiated with the mindset that political problems must be solved through political means. So, while it is necessary to hold all-inclusive talks among the different groups, that the NUG has offered to hold talks with the AA is not strange.

U Khin Maung Latt || Former lawmaker

We need more friends than enemies, so the ULA should accept the NUG’s informal meeting offer. I see nothing to lose on the ULA’s part, because the more friends you have, the better. I think the ULA should discuss with the NUG, as it is an informal meeting.

Even if the ULA does not reap many benefits, it will not be detrimental. This is not uncommon, as other political parties and EAOs [ethnic armed organisations] are also in talks with the NUG. I think the ULA should consider it, as the NUG invited the ULA without any preconditions.

Ma Oo Khin Thein || Rakhine Youth Network

It would be good if the National Unity Government offered the United League of Arakan an informal meeting, because the Arakanese people do not want a military dictator at the moment, and other ethnic people in the regions and states do not want the military regime. The NUG should actually have offered to meet with ULA in the past. I think it’s too late for the NUG to offer the ULA an informal meeting now.

However, the NUG may have a clue as to how they want to move forward, and the Arakan Army may have a plan for where Arakan State will go from here. The Arakan Army is expected to approve the offer and discuss this. Therefore, we hope that the two sides will reach a positive outcome. The chief of the Arakan Army has said that Arakan State will follow the ‘Way of Rakhita.’ I believe that informal talks between the NUG and ULA would yield good results.

U Pe Than || Former lawmaker

They have offered to hold informal talks, and even if there is a discussion, it is unlikely that they can make decisions because it will just be informal talks. It is just an initial offer from the NUG to hold more talks in the future. We don’t know what the results will be. Regardless, it is good to have a political dialogue. Even if you don’t want to discuss, it is good to listen to what the other side will say. The ULA is working for the Arakanese people.

We don’t know if the AA will cooperate with the NUG to fight the military dictatorship or continue to implement its ‘Way of Rakhita’ on its own. The NUG has to mobilise forces as much as it can. It needs strength to eliminate the military dictatorship. It needs the armed groups in Arakan State to fight the military dictatorship. The NUG will not be happy if the AA, which is a powerful group, does not cooperate with it, and acts on its own. The NUG wants the AA to cooperate with it. So, it has made an offer to the ULA/AA to hold talks so that they can have greater strength and finish the fight more quickly.