‘It takes two hands to clap’ | ANC leader discusses what’s needed to unite Arakanese armed groups

August 13 marked the 55th anniversary of “rice crisis day” in Arakan State, a date of tragic brutality in 1967, under the rule of dictator General Ne Win and his Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP). That year, Arakanese people faced severe food insecurity and starvation after a cyclone in May badly affected rice yields and the government refused to provide sufficient supplies of the stable grain, having instead over-allocated rice for export. Due to the scarcity, even those who could afford it were unable to buy rice. Some people in Arakan resorted to eating taro root and roselle, while others starved to death.  

Those who have committed crimes will be punished for their sins. My son is no longer in the revolution, but the people who are there will take revenge.

Six members of the Arakan Army were killed when the Myanmar military carried out airstrikes on an AA outpost in territory of the Karen National Liberation Army’s Brigade 5, near the Myanmar-Thai border in Kayin (Karen) State. Some members were also injured, and a handful of buildings in the area were damaged or destroyed. The AA has vowed retaliation for the attack.

More than 17 months since the coup, political instability prevails in Myanmar, and fighting between the military regime and anti-junta resistance forces remains a near-daily occurrence. Prak Sokhonn, ASEAN’s special envoy to Myanmar, last week visited the country on his second official trip aimed at mediating the increasingly intractable conflict between the military junta and its opponents.

That day, two soldiers came to our shop to buy rope. We sell building materials. One of them was an officer and the other was a private. They left by motorbike after paying. AA members showed up when they arrived some distance from our shop. At that time we didn’t know they were AA members. They tried to seize them. It was followed by a fight. One of them was pushed onto the road in front of the township administration department. Another was pushed into the ditch. 

Veteran politician U Pe Than, who resigned from the senior ranks of the Arakan National Party (ANP) last year, recently talked to DMG about the current political landscape.

Leaders of Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government (NUG) and the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) met for the first time this month, holding a two-hour virtual meeting on May 16.

“Ko Htin Latt Oo, don’t go too far. You have been irritating. I won’t give a shit about peace [if you carry on]. I will come to your place and crush it,” Arakan Army (AA) chief Major-General Twan Mrat Naing warned on Twitter on Friday, addressing the commander of the Myanmar military’s Western Command. 

The Myanmar military regime’s oppression of independent media outlets since its coup on February 1, 2021, is well documented. The junta has raided media agencies’ offices, revoked their licences, and arrested and prosecuted dozens of journalists.

Sunday marked the 13^th anniversary of the founding of the Arakan Army (AA), which was established by 26 young people on April 10, 2009, in Kachin State’s Laiza, the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). The Arakan Army now counts thousands of soldiers among its ranks, and has established a strong presence in Arakan State, both militarily and administratively. 

As Myanmar Buddhists prepare to welcome a new year, it is the third consecutive under threat of pandemic and the second consecutive under military rule. Economic circumstances are dire for many, but optimism remains. Prominent Arakanese figures and residents have shared their wishes for Myanmar’s Buddhist New Year with DMG as the country looks ahead to ME 1384.

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.

Daily and prolonged blackouts are severely disrupting lives across Arakan State, which is — residents often note with irony — rich in natural gas and other energy resources. Ordinary citizens and businesses alike are suffering as many are forced to make the difficult choice between going without electricity or paying increasingly expensive costs to run generators at a time of soaring fuel prices.

As the Arakan Army (AA) and its political wing, the United League of Arakan (ULA), strive to expand their influence among the diverse peoples of Arakan State, the ULA/AA recently expressed their desire to also build better relations with neighbouring Bangladesh. To that end, the ULA/AA issued a statement marking International Mother Language Day on February 21, calling on the communities either side of the Naf River, which separates the two geographically, to strengthen ties politically, economically, diplomatically and culturally.

With Myanmar’s politics upended by the military coup more than one year ago, anti-regime forces have largely coalesced around the need for a future Myanmar that is based on federalism. However, the exact contours of that system remain the subject of much debate and differing visions. 

All air passengers, including those who are fully vaccinated, are now required to submit a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours of their flight in order to board, the Arakan State Department of Public Health announced last week. DMG has compiled a selection of views on the Covid-19 testing of flight passengers, while other forms of travel remain unrestricted and not subject to any kind of testing requirement. 

Many universities in Myanmar have been closed for almost two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the military coup on February 1, 2021. DMG recently interviewed several students in Arakan State to find out how they have been affected by the extended disruption to their education, and what they have lost.

Junta chief Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing said last week that his regime would push for implementation of a law requiring all Myanmar citizens to serve in the military. The announcement said enforcement of legislation that was passed more than a decade ago would be a priority of his administration this year.