Dr. Aye Maung: “Rohingya Refugee Crisis Requires Government-to-Government Solution”

Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) and former leader of the Arakan National Party (ANP), has shared his perspective on the Rohingya refugee crisis, emphasizing the necessity of negotiations at the state level to resolve the issue. In a social media post, he stated that while the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) may control parts of Rakhine State, it is not equipped to address the refugee situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

“If the Myanmar-Bangladesh border area is not fully under the control of the Myanmar military junta, Bangladesh will face increased challenges related to the refugee issue,” Dr. Aye Maung wrote. He argued that the refugee problem is unlikely to be resolved without a formal agreement between the junta and the government of Bangladesh, alongside the involvement of international organizations.

He further stated that under international law, negotiations with the ULA/AA to facilitate the re-entry of refugees into Myanmar are not feasible, as the ULA/AA is not a recognized government but an armed organization. “If the Myanmar junta decides to establish political and military agreements with the AA, similar to arrangements with Wa and Mong La, only then might it be possible to involve the AA in discussions alongside Bangladesh and international entities,” he noted.

Dr. Aye Maung also suggested that armed groups like the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) and Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) could lead to further clashes, mirroring the dynamic among ethnic armed groups in Myanmar.

Notably, Bangladesh has also highlighted the need to account for the ULA/AA in discussions, given its control over significant portions of Rakhine State. However, Dr. Aye Maung’s hardline stance reflects a history of inciting tensions between the Rakhine Buddhist and Rohingya Muslim communities. Critics have pointed out that his alignment with the Myanmar military junta has contributed to further division in the region.

The Rohingya refugee crisis, deeply rooted in decades of conflict and systemic discrimination, remains a complex issue requiring coordinated international and regional efforts to ensure a sustainable resolution.