Prospects for peace in Arakan State are waning as the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) continues to rise and conflict between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army escalates, the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) said in a statement on April 23.

The ALP said the party believes political issues can be solved only by political means, not through military means, adding that seeking a solution at the negotiating table would facilitate peace and bring prosperity to the country.

The government designated the Arakan Army as a terrorist group and an unlawful association on March 23. Weeks later, an official statement signed by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi offered praise for military personnel engaged in hostilities with the Arakan Army in western Myanmar, while adding: “The Union Government is resolved to continue with efforts to take the Peace Process, which aims at putting an end to the sufferings imposed by conflict on our people, to a successful conclusion.”

The ALP’s statement on Thursday expressed grief over mounting civilian fatalities in Arakan and Chin states and denounced those responsible for the collateral death toll.

Khaing Aung Thein Htay, an auxiliary member of the ALP’s central committee, told DMG that both the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army must take responsibility for reducing the number of civilian casualties amid ongoing clashes in Arakan State.

“I would like to urge the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army not to target civilians because the civilians have become victims of conflict. Many civilians were killed and injured in armed clashes in Arakan State. Neither the Tatmadaw nor Arakan Army wanted to take responsibility for their deeds,” he said.

The ALP called on the two sides to cease hostilities as soon as possible and provide family members of victims of the conflict with humanitarian assistance in an expeditious manner, saying people across the country needed to unite to combat the spread of coronavirus.

The ALP also asked the local government to take responsibility for returning displaced people to their native villages in a safe manner and providing educational opportunities to IDP children ahead of the rainy season.