By: Camp Correspondent
Maungdaw Township, February 20, 2025
Plans are underway to establish village administration teams composed entirely of Rohingya members in Maungdaw Township, according to local residents from the northern region. The initiative was discussed at meetings held by the Arakan Army (AA) on February 16 in Shwe Zar and Seti Pyin villages, where Rohingya community members were gathered to deliberate the new governance structure.
Under the proposed plan, villages with fewer than 100 households will form an administration team consisting of five members—a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and two additional members. In villages with more than 100 households, the team will be expanded to eight members, including a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and five other members. The selection process is to be conducted by the Rohingya villagers themselves, ensuring community involvement and a degree of self-management under AA oversight.
During the meetings, villagers also requested AA’s assistance in addressing persistent safety hazards. In response, AA’s mine clearance team has reportedly removed approximately 1,000 landmines from various areas in Maungdaw Township in recent weeks, a move welcomed by many who face daily risks from unexploded ordnance.
In another related development, AA has issued directives banning open waste burning in Rohingya villages, citing concerns for environmental health and community well-being.
This move to establish Rohingya-only village administration teams represents a significant shift in local governance. It marks an effort to involve the community more directly in managing local affairs while under the broader control of the AA. Observers note that such changes could impact the daily lives of Rohingya residents by potentially improving local decision-making processes, although questions remain about the long-term implications for autonomy and accountability.
Local villagers remain cautiously optimistic, hoping that greater involvement in governance will lead to improved safety, better resource management, and enhanced community resilience amid ongoing challenges in the region.
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