No intention to declare independence just yet: AA Chief

The Arakan Army (AA) reveals that there is no plan to declare independence at this moment.  Speaking to BBC (Myanmar) on Thursday, AA Commander-in-chief  General Twan Mrat Naing said, “We have not said that in the past either."

Answering to a question if the fulfilment of  ‘The Dream of Rakhita’ could be interpreted as a re-declaration of complete Rakhita sovereignty, the AA leader said that they believe following the traditional path set by the Myanmar military over the past 70 years would not lead them to the desired level.

“If we fail to reach the level we aspire to, other approaches may become necessary," said Twan Mrat Naing.

In response to the question if AA believes that 'The Dream of Rakhita' would  be fulfilled this time, he answered, "I will never say never, but we have made our best efforts even in the most difficult times, and now the expectations are closer."

Furthermore, Twan Mrat Naing added, "This is a time when all the people of Rakhine are united, standing with full strength, and putting forth more efforts, trying their best."

"The people facing hardships on the battlefields are standing united with full strength. They say-our houses are  burnt, entire ward burned by the enemy, and hence we must not cease firing; if we are to be liberated, we have to fight.' So, we have a lot more hope than before. We are putting more energy into it than before and trying our best," he asserted.

The AA chief of staff also stated that they will persist in their efforts to fight until the entire Rakhine region is under their complete control.

Twan Mrat Naing replied on the question of the AA's full control in Rakhine State when the military junta extended the state of emergency for another six months.

"There are some things that we have not revealed yet. However, militarily we will persist in our efforts to fully control the entire Rakhine region, as initially defined," said Twan Mrat Naing.

He concluded that the military junta's extension of the state of emergency on the third anniversary of the coup is merely doing what they have to do, emphasizing that the current military and political situation provides an advantageous opportunity for the entire Myanmar people to fight for liberation from the military dictatorship.