Vox Pop: Neighbourly relations discussed

By DMG 01 Mar 2022

DMG | March 1

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.

Below, DMG has brought together a handful of regional opinions on the recent ULA/AA outreach.

U Pe Than || Arakanese politician

Bangladesh is also the closest country to Arakan State. All political, military, economic and social aspects of Bangladesh and Arakan State are inextricable. The relationship between the two countries is very important, especially if the ULA/AA is to establish itself in Arakan State. As a result, there are other issues that need to be resolved, such as crossings at the border with Bangladesh. In the long run, we need to make friends with each other. All in all, Bangladesh and Arakan State have a political, military and social relationship. We see this as motivating a desire for friendship.

If the friendship between the two countries is good, the economy will have good prospects. It will be the beginning of a coexistence of the two societies for each’s own benefit. Politically, they will support the political situation in Arakan State. Military cooperation can also be achieved if necessary. I look forward to all of this in the long run, and I want to improve relations with Bangladesh.

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

It is possible that the ULA/AA wants to improve relations with Bangladesh, which expect to be able to trade with each other as the closest of neighbours. It is better to be in love. Development can only be achieved if we are at peace with our neighbours. If there is a situation where it is not possible to get along with each other, there will be fighting. If there is no trust and no connection with each other, it is dangerous for Arakan State. Because we do not want that to happen, I think we want this relationship to grow.

U Soe Lin Tun || Ethnic Rakhine and Bangladesh national

The ULA/AA-led initiative to facilitate relations with the neighbouring country is very welcome because it is positive. If the relationship between Bangladesh and Arakan State is resolved, there will be many benefits for Arakan State. Industry and education is booming in Bangladesh. There is no vacant land. People grow two crops on a single plot of land. On the Myanmar side, people grow only one season. The government makes it possible for us to cultivate uncultivated land in Bangladesh.

On the Bangladeshi side, we need almost all the goods from Arakan State. If the relationship is good, the consumer goods will come from the neighbouring country. The smuggling routes will disappear if the two countries can legally export and import goods and benefit from them. In Bangladesh, people of different races have full rights. When Arakan State is established, there will be no more social conflicts between the two countries.

Ko Kyaw Lynn || Political analyst

The first important point is that Arakan State’s neighbours are Bangladesh and India. Of these, Bangladesh has more [proximitous] borders, land and sea. For a revolutionary organisation, I think it is more important to have good neighbours, so I want to improve the relationship.

The second point is to have more trade links with Bangladesh in terms of the economic situation in Arakan State; for the Arakanese people, [a better relationship means] living and economic standards will be better than before. Job opportunities will improve. I think we mainly want to enhance our relationship because of these two factors.

Ma Oo Khin Thein || Sittwe resident

Bangladesh and Arakan State are contiguous. We also agree that the ULA/AA wants to improve relations with Bangladesh. If the relationship is good, whether it is for nation-building or trade, those relations will be better for Arakan State. As a densely populated country, Bangladesh will be able to expand its economy from Arakan State. If trade is allowed to expand, Arakan State can improve a lot.

As I said, if we have good relations and trade rights, we will be able to export many other products to Bangladesh. If relations between Arakan State and Bangladesh improve, there will be more legal trade opportunities. If the relationship works out, the results will be very good for Arakan State.