Are Rakhine people no longer needed in the Union: AA spokesperson

The Arakan Army (AA) spokesperson U Khaing Thukha questioned, "Are Rakhine people no longer needed in the Union?" It  refers to the military junta, which is losing  a number of battles in the Rakhine region, and now targeting Rakhine civilians, perpetrating instances of ethnic discrimination and oppression.

"Right now, Rakhine people are restricted from travelling. If they travel, they are arrested and subjected to torture. Despite being Rakhine people, they are still citizens of Myanmar entitled to the rights guaranteed by the existing laws. However, the junta is violating these laws, prompting us to question whether Rakhine people are no longer needed in the Union of Myanmar," he added.

The  junta, facing setbacks in the Rakhine conflict, engages in racial oppression. It  includes instigating conflicts between Rakhine people and Muslims, arresting individuals upon their return to Rakhine, fuelling ethnic & religious enmities, imposing travel restrictions on them, forcing them into military service and conducting daily airstrikes on the civilian population.

"If the current Myanmar generals do not wish to include Rakhine people, we will collaborate to safeguard our existence, stability and security. In the face of racial oppression, we understand the imperative of shaping our own destiny,” he asserted.

U Khaing Thukha also warned that if ethnically targeted oppression continues, the future consequences will be more severe.

A Rakhine social activist revealed that ordinary Rakhine civilians of  Yangon, Mandalay, etc are living with  fear because of the military council's harsh repression of the Rakhine people. They feel as if they are under house arrest and can not move outside.

"Lately, the AA fighters have been capturing many Rakhine townships. There's a possibility that the entire State may go to the  AA’s control. However, the recent statements from the major general in press conferences and interviews indicate that there is no intention to secede. However, the Rakhine people experience heightened oppression compared to other ethnic groups in Myanmar. They face discrimination and oppression solely because of their identity. These actions may hinder the government's national reconciliation efforts," he argued.

He also commented on  U Khaing Thukha's statement saying, "The situation currently faced by the Rakhine people is dire. The government racism is abhorrent to everyone. That's why I understand why the AA issued the statement. If we live together and are concerned ourselves, we should  do what is needed," he said.

After the AA fighters captured nine townships during the Rakhine conflict that started on 13 November last year, the  junta began to discriminate and oppress the Rakhine people more severely than ever before.

Myanmar political analyst U Than Soe Naing told Narinjara News that while the military junta's widespread violence spread across Myanmar, including Rakhine State, it’s evident that  the heightened oppression against the Rakhine people is related to the junta's military setbacks against the AA. He asserted that the escalation of repression does not align with the wishes of Myanmar people.

"As U Khaing Thukha questioned whether Rakhine people are no longer needed in the Union, it does not reflect the will of the people. The military junta's actions of racial discrimination, oppression and human rights violations, not only in Rakhine State but  across the country, are not in alignment with the desires of the Myanmar people or those of other regions. Therefore, posing the question of whether Rakhine people are no longer needed in the Union is a usage that does not contribute positively to the long-term progress of the country. This is my perspective," he explained.