UNGA: Yunus calls for international pressure on AA

By Admin 27 Sep 2025

DMG Newsroom

27 September 2025, Sittwe

Mohammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, has told the United Nations that the international community must urgently pressure the Arakan Army (AA), which controls most of Arakan State, to push for political and positive change.

He made the remarks during his speech at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York on September 26.

"We must urgently pressure the non-state actors in Arakan for political change and positive change, in addition to increasing funding for humanitarian aid," he said.

As the Arakan Army currently administers and commands most of Arakan, Dr. Yunus's reference to "non-state actors in Arakan" was understood to mean the AA.

Yunus also expressed hope that the high-level meeting scheduled for September 30 could advance a global resolution on Muslim refugees and generate international support.

At the UN hall, the global spotlight is on presidents, prime ministers, and leaders from around the world as they present their positions on peace, development, and human rights amidst global challenges.

Analysts suggested that because the Arakan Army's role was raised at the UN, it could draw increased international attention to both Arakan State and the AA.

"If we look at it positively, the fact that Dr. Yunus mentioned the role of the Arakan Army in front of world leaders means it could draw international attention and, in effect, promote the AA's legitimacy," analyzed an Arakanese youth with a Master's degree in Public Administration from Thailand.

Yunus added that a political solution involving the Arakan Army must exist within Arakan to ensure Muslims become equal citizens and part of Arakanese society.

However, political observers note that while Bangladesh is pressing the AA, it is unlikely to secure broad international backing. They assess that Yunus's demands are far removed from realities on the ground.

"We see Yunus only pressuring the AA and emphasizing Muslim rights. This is not feasible in practice. Pressuring a territory-controlling group is misguided, and talking about rights during an ongoing conflict is impractical," said a political analyst.

A high-level meeting on Muslim refugees will be held at the UN on September 30. Observers of Bangladeshi affairs said it is expected to showcase the efforts of Muslim activists supported by Bangladesh.

Yunus noted that Bangladesh is hosting more than 1.3 million Muslim Rohingya in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char, and said his country would continue to receive any assistance agreed upon by the international community for the stability of Arakan State.

He expressed hope that the upcoming September 30 meeting would yield a global resolution and strong international support for the Rohingya.

Tensions have recently grown between the Arakan Army and Bangladesh, with Dhaka seeking to accelerate Muslim repatriation. The ground situation, however, remains complicated, as the Muslim armed group ARSA (Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army) continues to attack AA positions in the border areas.