With envoy’s visit, Arakan State residents hope for reprieve from junta restrictions 

By Admin 02 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
2 December 2023, Sittwe

Arakan State residents hope that Japan’s Nippon Foundation chairman Yohei Sasakawa might have urged the Myanmar military regime to lift travel restrictions in Arakan State.

The regime has blockaded roads and waterways in Arakan State since the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) renewed fighting on November 13.

Sasakawa, who mediated ceasefires between the two sides in the two previous bouts of fighting, arrived in Naypyitaw on November 27 and held talks with junta officials on humanitarian projects being implemented by the Nippon Foundation in Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Shan and Arakan states, according to junta media. Sasakawa is also Japan’s special envoy for national reconciliation in Myanmar.

“Mr. Sasakawa should put pressure on the regime to lift travel restrictions so that humanitarian assistance can be delivered freely,” said an Arakanese 88 Generation student.

Arakan State is facing food and fuel shortages due to the junta’s blockade.

A woman from Setyonesu Ward in Sittwe said: “Rice is running out at my house. We could not buy fuel for our motorbike, and we could go nowhere. The regime is deliberately blockading roads to make people suffer. We are going to starve if this situation goes on for long.”

Charities that provide free ambulance and funeral services have also been forced to suspend their operations due to fuel shortages. Civil society organisations are also struggling to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by fighting and junta travel restrictions.

Political observers say the regime has imposed travel restrictions to force the AA to stop fighting.

“Sasakawa can’t negotiate with the regime as an individual,” politician U Pe Than said: “The regime would not accept it. It would ask for a give-and-take. I am sure the regime would demand that the ULA/AA stop fighting [if it is to lift travel restrictions]. Without a give-and-take, the regime would not do what Sasakawa asks for. Because it is the regime that has created these troubles for people.”

Sasakawa’s visit to Myanmar came at a time when Operation 1027, which was launched by the Brotherhood Alliance consisting of the AA, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance and Ta’ang National Liberation Army in late October, has spread beyond northern Shan State and reached in Sagaing Region, Chin, Kayah (Karenni) and Arakan states, with junta troops suffering heavy defeats in many battles.