AFP calls on Arakan Army to release two senior party leaders

By Admin 07 Sep 2023

DMG Newsroom
7 September 2023, Sittwe

Efforts are being made to free two senior party officials detained by the Arakan Army, according to Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP).

Dr. Aye Maung said the AFP would issue a statement regarding the matter on September 9, U Ottama Day, seeking the release of the party’s vice chairman U Kyaw Zaw Oo and advisor U Kyaw Lwin.

“Whether it is in the Myanmar political landscape or the Arakan political landscape, the role of political parties is still necessary, so we need political leaders to work with political parties with high intelligence. I would like the ULA/AA to understand these situations,” he added.

The AA detained U Kyaw Lwin on October 4, 2022, and U Kyaw Zaw Oo on November 2. At a press conference on November 28, AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha said the two men were summoned for questioning because of their writings, which he said had led to divisions and confusion among the people at a time when the AA was actively engaged in conflict with the Myanmar military.

U Kyaw Zaw Oo still has not been in contact with family members, while U Kyaw Lwin has been in contact with his family by phone.

“We are in contact with him [U Kyaw Lwin] when he phones us. We have not been able to see him. We want him released as soon as possible,” said Ma Hnin Wai Wai, the daughter of U Kyaw Lwin.

“We have no contact with him,” said U Wai Sein Aung, a former Upper House lawmaker and father of U Kyaw Zaw Oo, referring to his son. “We never received phone calls from him. We don’t know exactly as to whether he is detained or not. The AA spokesman Khaing Thukha said he was summoned for questioning and he was not detained. He must be released.”

The AFP in December 2022 asked the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Yohei Sasakawa, Japan’s special envoy for national reconciliation in Myanmar, to intervene to secure the release of the two party leaders.