Arakanese CSOs slam ALP decision to join junta-sponsored peace talks

By DMG 16 May 2022

DMG Newsroom
16 May 2022, Sittwe 

Twenty-four local youth organisations, including the Arakan Students’ Union, on May 15 issued a joint statement condemning the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP)’s participation in the peace talks being organised by the military junta. 

Ko Kyaw Naing Htay, a member of the Arakan Students’ Union central committee, said that the ALP’s participation in the peace talks was a disgrace. 

“We don’t believe that peace will be achieved in Arakan State if the ALP attends the talks. This is because the groups that have the support of the people in Arakan State have not yet joined. In this situation, I don’t think the ALP will be able to secure the lives and property of the Arakanese people if they attend the peace talks invited by the military junta,” he said. 

The youth organisations’ statement added that they were “deeply disappointed” by the actions of the ALP, which is preparing to attend the peace talks proposed by the military junta last month. 

The youth groups say that although the ALP will attend the peace talks, it will not be able to guarantee the safety and security of the Arakanese people. 

Ko Kyaw Aye Maung, an ethnic Thet student, said that although the ALP was formed for the development of Arakan State, there were many gaps in its implementation of that vision. 

“The ALP does not listen to the voices of the Arakanese people in Arakan State. The ALP does what it wants to do, and if it does get a major outcome for them, it’s done. They are not always open about what they want to do,” he added. 

He continued that ethnic armed groups in other areas decided whether or not to attend the military council’s peace talks after listening to the people’s wishes. 

The youth groups said the military council’s peace talks should be considered on the basis of whether they can truly secure the lives and property of the people. 

The statement added that the signatories believe that Arakan State will not be a peaceful and prosperous region until the sovereignty of the state is established. 

DMG contacted the ALP seeking a response to statements from the 24 local youth groups, including the Arakan Students’ Union, but the ALP could not be reached. 

The regime has said seven ethnic armed group signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and three non-signatories would attend its proposed peace talks.