Arakanese politician: ‘It is not easy to sustain a verbal ceasefire promise’

By DMG 16 Dec 2021

DMG Newsroom
13 December, 2021 

(Interview) 

In a statement on December 10, the Arakan Army (AA) said tensions were rising between the ethnic armed group and junta (Tatmadaw) forces as the latter were travelling from one village to another in Arakan State and frequently repositioning their troops, citing a variety of pretexts. On the ground, residents have raised concerns about the possibility of fresh clashes. 

Against that backdrop, DMG interviewed U Pe Than, an Arakanese politician, former policy board member of the Arakan National Party, about the current military and political situation in Arakan State. 

DMG: What is your opinion on the recent AA statement? 

U Pe Than: Fighting between the AA and Myanmar military has halted for more than a year based on a verbal promise. But the Myanmar military is conducting many military operations now. They are making security checks in Arakan State. The AA’s statement is to object to that situation. It also alerts the people to be careful for their security. I think it was issued due to the Sandawshin Pagoda Festival issue. 

Some NCA [Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement] signatories have resumed clashes [with the Tatmadaw], so it is not easy to sustain the verbal ceasefire promise, especially if there will be encounters between both sides’ troops due to [Tatmadaw] military operations. 

DMG: The Myanmar military is reportedly conducting military operations now in Arakan State. What do you think about that? 

U Pe Than: The government’s administrative mechanism and judiciary do not work now in most areas of Arakan State. So, the AA formed an administrative team to substitute for the government’s administrative departments. They formed a judiciary team also to bring justice for the people. So, the regime council side is expressing dissatisfaction. 

They [Tatmadaw forces] are travelling to villages under the justification of regional stability activities and Covid-19 prevention measures. They are making security checks on festivalgoers, citing ‘road repair work’ along the Sandawshin Pagoda Road. 

DMG: What are your thoughts on the relationship between the AA and Myanmar military?  

U Pe Than: I see the AA as trying to be more positive, by avoiding Myanmar troops. And, it has released prisoners of war. The most obvious example is that it returned 20 guns that the AA seized at the Mahamuni Pagoda to the military. 

DMG: How do you see the future political situation in Arakan State playing out? 

U Pe Than: The people want no war in our area. There is no demarcation of territory between the AA and Myanmar military here, so we can guess that there will be encounters between them one day. So, they need to negotiate to reach a political agreement. Then, they need to build peace through negotiations. They halted their fighting via an understanding, after the intervention of Mr. [Yohei] Sasakawa, without negotiating. So, it is certain that fighting will resume when their interests are jeopardised and there is misunderstanding. 

DMG: What should be done to prevent fresh clashes from occurring? 

U Pe Than: The AA released a statement saying clashes could occur at any time. The people are also worried about renewed fighting. So, they should undertake negotiations and political talks to sustain the peace between them. I think they need to move in that direction if they do not want to resume fighting and to build a sustainable peace.