Analysts suggest that the Military Council's efforts torepatriate Rohingya refugeesfrom Bangladesh to Myanmar are unlikely to succeed if they do not engage indiscussions with the United League of Arakan (ULA).

U Aung Thaung Shwe, a former representative of PyithuHluttaw from Buthidaung township, stated that for the successful implementationof this issue, the Military Council must engage in discussions with the ULAgovernment, which already holds the majority of the territory in Rakhine,otherwise there is no feasible way to achieve success in this matter.

"When the ULA/AA has significant control overterritory, I don't believe the refugee readmission issue will succeed if themilitary council acts unilaterally without engaging in discussions with the ULAgovernment," he remarked.

In response to international pressure, the military councilis working towards the repatriation of refugees who had fled to Bangladesh.

On September 2, a delegation led by Union Minister U Ko KoHlaing of the Military Council showcased the preparations made by the MilitaryCouncil in the Maungdaw region for the returning refugees to the heads of 16embassies and diplomats stationed in Myanmar.

The delegation flew into Sittwe Township on September 1, andthe following day, they traveled to Maungdaw Township using militaryhelicopters via Sittwe.

Throughout their trip, they visited the Taung Pyo Let Waereception center, Kyein Chaung (South) village designated for refugeeresettlement, and the Hla Phoe Khaung transit camp.

The delegation comprises U Ko Ko Hlaing, Deputy Chairman ofthe Rakhine State Stability and Development Coordination Committee 1 and UnionMinister of the Ministry of International Cooperation, Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, Advisorto the Chairman of the Military Council, General Khun Thant Zaw Htoo, DeputyMinister of Border Affairs, as well as heads of 16 embassies and diplomats.

The Military Council has not provided information about thespecific countries represented by the 16 embassies.

U Aung Shwe Thaung, a former representative of PyithuHluttaw from Buthidaung township, noted that previous efforts to facilitate thereturn of refugees during the National League for Democracy (NLD) era wereunsuccessful. Currently, the Military Council is in the preliminary stages ofengaging with the international community regarding the refugee acceptanceplan, and achieving success is proving to be a significant challenge.

He continued to express doubts about the Military Council'sability to achieve success in the refugee repatriation process, especiallyconsidering the current infiltration of Rakhine State by the ARSA group and thegrowing public concern.

"In the current scenario, there have been reportedincidents of ARSA-related killings in Bangladesh, and there are concerns abouttheir presence and activities in Rakhine state. Given these circumstances, howrealistic is the prospect of implementing the refugee readmission plan?" UAung Shwe Thaung further questioned.

On March 8, the heads of embassies from ASEAN countries andneighboring nations, accompanied by a team led by the Military Council, visitedthe Maungdaw region to observe the Military Council's efforts related torefugee reception.

United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) spokesperson UKhaing Thukha also criticized the Military Council's actions as a mere show toenhance their international image.

U Khaing Thukha made the above remarks during the seventhpress conference of ULA/AA, which was held on February 27 at 10:00 am.

"The idea of readmitting Muslims appears to be largelya facade. This is because, except for Rakhine State and some areas withinFPNCC-controlled regions, national stability remains elusive, and securityremains uncertain. We believe that the Military Council may have variouspolitical considerations underlying this matter," he commented.

The Muslim refugees in Bangladesh are requesting the MyanmarMilitary Council to fulfill three key points upon their return to Myanmar,which include the ability to return to their homes with dignity, resettlementin their original homes, the granting of citizenship rights, and the assuranceof security guarantees.

"The refugees are willing to return if the MilitaryCouncil grants the three requested points. However, since the Military Councilhas not met the refugees' demands, there is a delay," said a Muslim closeto the refugees.

According to the United Nations, approximately 700,000Muslims sought refuge in Bangladesh as a result of the Myanmar military'sclearance operations during the conflict in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, andRathedaung townships in 2016 and 2017.