Regime unhappy with AA efforts to foster intercommunal harmony, says ethnic armed group’s spokesman

By DMG 05 Apr 2022

DMG Newsroom
5 April 2022, Sittwe 

The Arakan Army (AA) has accused Myanmar’s military regime of sabotaging its efforts to achieve harmony between Buddhist and Muslim communities in conflict-torn Arakan State. 

At a press conference held by the Arakanese ethnic armed group on Tuesday, AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha said the regime’s governing body, the State Administration Council (SAC), has formally complained about the AA’s engagement with Muslim communities in Arakan State. 

“The SAC has complained to us by letter, especially about us providing medical treatment in Muslim villages in Buthidaung and Rathedaung [townships], meeting community elders and locals in Muslim villages,” he told reporters. 

“This clearly shows that they [the military regime] do not want to see harmony between the various communities in Arakan State. Such acts are detrimental to harmony [in Arakan State], and undermine mutual trust,” U Khaing Thukha added. 

A Muslim from Buthidaung Township, who asked not to be named for security concerns, said he supported the AA’s efforts to foster harmony between the two communities. 

“What the AA is doing is good. We have also heard that the military has complained about the AA’s actions. It is unacceptable,” he said. 

Myanmar’s military and the AA have observed an unofficial ceasefire since November 2020, after two years of often intense fighting in Arakan State and neighbouring Chin State. 

The United League of Arakan (ULA), which is the political wing of the AA, has been working to establish a parallel administration in Arakan State, including a separate judiciary, revenue department, security apparatus and other governing institutions.  

Communal outreach efforts have included the organising of a multi-ethnic, interfaith football tournament late last year. 

In a 2021 interview with local media, AA chief Twan Mrat Naing said he intended for Muslims in Arakan State to participate more in administrative roles and the police work of the ULA/AA.