RK Desk
February 28, 2025
The South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) at North South University (NSU) hosted a high-profile colloquium titled “Situation in Rakhine and Implications for Bangladesh,” where experts, policymakers, and diplomats convened to discuss the ongoing crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine State and its implications for Bangladesh.
The event provided a critical platform to assess the rising influence of the Arakan Army (AA) as the de facto authority in Rakhine, the prolonged Rohingya crisis, and the strategic importance of Bangladesh’s Chittagong region in fostering economic stability in the region.
With Myanmar’s internal conflicts reshaping the regional geopolitical landscape, the discussions aimed to generate policy recommendations for Bangladesh to navigate security challenges, economic integration, and diplomatic engagements.
Concerns Over Arakan Army’s Growing Influence
During the discussion, security concerns took center stage as experts highlighted the Arakan Army’s increasing military dominance in Rakhine, leading to new waves of Rohingya displacement. Lt. Gen Abdul Hafiz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defence and National Solidarity Development, warned of the heightened risks of cross-border attacks, arms smuggling, and human trafficking, emphasizing that “diplomacy, backed by strategic deterrence, is critical to protecting Bangladesh’s national interests.”
Keynote speaker Ambassador Md. Sufiur Rahman provided an analytical overview of Rakhine’s shifting political landscape, revealing that 750,000 people have been displaced due to the conflict, and poverty in the region has reached alarming levels. He suggested that Bangladesh could play a stabilizing role through economic and humanitarian engagement, proposing stronger trade ties between Chittagong and Rakhine as a pathway to regional peace.
Brig. Gen (Retd) Hasan Md Shamsuddin from the Center for Bangladesh and Global Affairs (CBGA) expressed deep concerns over the Arakan Army’s militarization, warning that the instability could spill over into Bangladesh.
Rohingya Leaders Call for Global Action
A significant highlight of the discussion was the statement by Nurul Islam, Chair of the Arakan Rohingya National Alliance (ARNA), who brought attention to the ongoing persecution of the Rohingya people. He emphasized that the Rohingya community has been subjected to decades of systemic oppression, now exacerbated by the Arakan Army’s military expansion. He insisted that any repatriation plan must be backed by political guarantees of safety and full citizenship rights.
“The Rohingya people cannot be forced back into a cycle of oppression and statelessness. The international community must put pressure on both the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army to stop the human rights violations and ensure a permanent political solution,” said Nurul Islam.
Human rights activist Sahat Zia Hero echoed this sentiment, criticizing the lack of tangible progress in diplomatic efforts and the failure to secure meaningful outcomes for displaced Rohingya populations.
Bangladesh’s Role in a Fragile Region
The discussions also highlighted the role of Bangladesh in mitigating the crisis. U Aung Kyaw Moe, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Human Rights under Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG), applauded Bangladesh’s ongoing support for the Rohingya people and urged that their concerns be integrated into Myanmar’s broader democratic movement.
The colloquium concluded with North South University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury reaffirming NSU’s commitment to fostering dialogue on critical regional issues. “Together, we can build bridges of understanding and forge a more peaceful tomorrow for everyone,” he stated.
The urgent calls for action made during the event underscored the pressing need for a dynamic policy response from Bangladesh and the international community to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Rakhine.
