By: Camp Correspondent
April 20, 2025 | Dhaka, Bangladesh
In a statement that underscores the depth of regional instability tied to the Rohingya crisis, Shahid Hussain, Foreign Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh’s caretaker government, declared that lasting peace in Myanmar is impossible without addressing the plight of the Rohingya.
His remarks were shared following a recent diplomatic briefing and reported by the Dhaka Tribune.
“Even if the fighting stops, peace won’t return to Myanmar unless the root causes are tackled,” said Hussain. “We’ve clearly told our international partners, including the United States, that the Rohingya issue must be solved for long-term peace.”
Arakan Army a Barrier to Negotiations
Mr. Hussain identified the Arakan Army (AA) as one of the key obstacles to any meaningful resolution. Despite the AA’s growing control over parts of Rakhine State, he explained that they are not a recognized governing body, which makes formal diplomatic engagement regarding Rohingya repatriation extremely difficult.
“We cannot hold official talks with them because they are not a legitimate government,” he said. “But at the same time, we cannot ignore their role on the ground. This makes the situation extremely complicated.”
Since December 2024, the AA has taken full control of Maungdaw Township, an area once home to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya. Rights groups and camp-based Rohingya leaders have accused the group of targeting civilians, imposing movement restrictions, and evicting families from ancestral lands.
Bangladesh–Myanmar Relations: Misunderstood?
Addressing public perceptions, Mr. Hussain said that the relationship between Bangladesh and Myanmar is more interconnected than widely believed, particularly regarding cross-border trade and service importation.
“Many people talk about gaps between our two countries, but in reality, it’s not as wide as they think,” he noted. “We import a significant amount of services from Myanmar.”
He also confirmed that customs and trade issues were part of recent discussions, as both countries explore options to ease economic barriers despite political and humanitarian tensions.
Call for International Pressure and Recognition of Rights
While reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to voluntary and safe repatriation, the adviser stressed the need for sustained global pressure to ensure that any future government in Myanmar recognizes the rights, identity, and dignity of the Rohingya people.
“Only strong global pressure can ensure that a future government in Myanmar will recognize the rights of the Rohingya,” he said.
Nearly one million Rohingya refugees remain in camps in Cox’s Bazar, having fled genocidal violence in Myanmar since 2017. Many live in overcrowded shelters, relying entirely on humanitarian aid, with no legal status or pathway to return under current conditions.
