Vox Pop: One year later, Arakan State stakeholders take stock of the coup

By DMG 03 Feb 2022

DMG Newsroom
3 February 2022, Sittwe 

February 1, 2022, was the one-year anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar. Over the past year, hundreds of people have been killed across the country, thousands have been imprisoned for their opposition to the junta, and Myanmar’s economy has been devastated. To mark the occasion, DMG interviewed people from all walks of life in Arakan State, asking them to reflect on the one-year anniversary of the coup. 

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

The Arakanese people are being affected, even if the people of Arakan State are not involved in the democratic revolution that emerged with the military coup. Because Arakan State is part of Myanmar, the impact of the coup is more or less the same. The whole country is facing a political crisis, and if there is a [national] economic crisis, it will affect Arakan State. 

The Covid-19 pandemic is now at a critical juncture in Arakan State, along with transportation problems. When it comes to the economic and social crises, the people of Arakan State are in a position between two organisations. Socially, people do not know which side to complain to when a crime is committed. In the absence of effective action, complaints of abuse are more likely to occur. Such situations are considered to be the aftermath of a military coup. 

U Khaing Kaung San || Director || Wan Lark Rural Development Foundation 

One year after the military coup, the main problem is travel delays for international organisations and INGOs [trying] to work locally. Another problem is the people’s grievances. People cannot easily withdraw their money deposited in banks. Due to the lack of cash flow, all the people are experiencing economic delays and widespread delays in business. With no cash flow, commodity prices are high and it is difficult to buy goods. 

Prior to the military coup, whatever was brought into Arakan State from Yangon was easily and freely purchased. In the aftermath of the coup, there have been delays in the flow of goods, and in some cases, permits have had to be sought from the authorities. After the military coup in Arakan State, it can be said that [the situation] is much better than the people in other regions and states. The situation is worse — and there are more clashes and bombings — in other states and regions. In any case, Arakan State is relatively good compared to other states and regions.

U Khin Maung Gyi || Vice Chairman || Rakhine Economic Initiative Public Co Ltd (REIC) 

In any case, today all the people are involved in politics. I think the military coup has blurred the political, economic and social lines, and made it difficult. For now, the Myanmar military has said it will extend the State of Emergency for another six months. In this situation, I think these political, economic and social sectors are all confused. In this situation, there are suggestions that the international community should move forward with an inclusive and transitional agenda. Will the military council be interested in this transition? We are currently seeing this situation play out  politically. 

On the one hand, there is a lot of economic uncertainty, and I think Arakan State will have to work hard to rebuild its economy. At the same time, from a socio-political point of view, the so-called social-political channels have been severely damaged. If we can rectify this, I think there is hope for the country, if we try to implement a transitional plan. In this case, it’s completely unpredictable. 

U Zaw Zaw Tun || Secretary || Rakhine Ethnics Congress (REC) 

During the one year since the military coup, there were no clashes in Arakan State and the situation was stable. However, Arakan State remains as a state in Myanmar. There have been many armed uprisings since the military coup in all parts of Myanmar, except Arakan State. The aftermath of the military coup affected Arakan State. One of the first aftermaths of the military coup was the complete collapse of the banking industry. In connection with this, businesses have been severely affected. 

Another was the devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic, which devastated business-related jobs. With regard to internally displaced people, international organisations focusing on relief efforts have been hit hard by the lack of banking and financial services, and the relief effort has been severely affected. As a result, there has been a stalemate in the food supply sector, which regularly supplies the IDPs. As a result, there are many other shortcomings in addition to food and shelter in the IDP camps. In the field of cross-border trade, we have also noticed that smuggling and drug-trafficking have become more closely linked to the authorities than ever before. 

U Pe Than || Former Arakan State Lawmaker || Myebon Township 

The past year has also been a time for peace-building between the United League of Arakan and Arakan Army (ULA/AA), and the Myanmar military. The Arakanese people have been facing armed conflicts and the Covid-19 pandemic, but there has been no fighting in Arakan State this past year. Covid-19 infections have also been reduced and the population has returned to normal as the economy has improved. 

Fighting continues in mainland Myanmar, especially between the junta troops and the anti-regime forces, but in Arakan State the situation is calm. But on the other hand, the people of Arakan State are also suffering from high commodity prices. Despite the economic crisis in Arakan State, the people are doing better than last year. Roughly speaking, people in Arakan State are trying to return to normal. Next year, the anti-regime forces’ movements in mainland Myanmar are likely to intensify. At the same time, the country’s economic and social sectors will definitely decline. 

Arakan State is also affected by the waves in mainland Myanmar, especially due to high commodity prices. Normal life in Arakan State can continue like this. Especially if there is no fighting between the ULA/AA and the Myanmar military, it can go on normally. However, the impact of the movement on the mainland has affected Arakan State. How long can the peace built between the ULA/AA and the Myanmar military be sustained? The current situation in Arakan State will improve or deteriorate depending on whether or not the fighting resumes.