CNI News
14 August 2022
No other armed organizations except the Arakan Army are needed in Rakhine State, Arakan Army Spokesperson Khaing Thukha said during a press conference on 11th August.
He said the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army aimed to achieve confederation status and hinted that it would allow no revolutionary forces except the ULA/AA in Rakhine State.
This raised questions on how the SAC and the NUG view the confederation demands by ethnic armed organizations.
The NUG was not able to handle the confederation demands of EAOs currently, Political Analyst U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.
U Than Soe Ning said, “I don’t think this serves the interests of Rakhine people. If fundamental democratic rights and equality are guaranteed for Rakhine people, the ULA/AA should not take such attitudes. I have to say it is inappropriate for the ULA/AA to have such attitudes because it is an undemocratic approach.”
Leaders of the AA and the ALP.
Similarly, a new constitution cannot be drafted as points of view of important political forces such as the National League for Democracy and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint cannot be known.
The AA hinted that it demanded the confederation status and vowed to continue its struggle if they are denied their lawful rights, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.
U Pe Than said, “They demanded confederation status and said anyone who rejects the confederation concept is their enemy. The chief of staff of the AA had said the confederation status was the only solution they could accept and would continue to fight if they were denied their rights. So, I understand that they can accept only the confederation status.”
He added that the junta and the NUG were not likely to accept the demand and would have to negotiate too hard.
A road junction in Rakhine State.
The demand for confederation aggravates the current problems, Director U Thein Tun Oo of the Centre for Strategic Studies told the CNI.
U Thein Tun Oo said, “Frankly speaking, the term confederation is likely to cause problems for peace in Rakhine State because a lot of bargains had to be made even to reach an agreement on federalism. Confederation goes far beyond federalism. It is a bit much to call for rights to confederation. I think it will be difficult and will worsen the problems.”
ULA/AA Chief of Staff once said that they would prefer self-administration status similar to Wa Self-administered zone in Shan State.
Currently, junta troops and border guards forces, the ULA/AA forces, the ALP force and ARSa are active in Rakhine State.
