1 Comment

There is a major complicating factor at play here which is the civil war currently being waged by the Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw. The Tatmadaw bombed Mrauk-U and surrounds as recently as 2 December, killing (allegedly) civilians and children. Whilst the Arakan Army claims to hold anti-racist principles, their vision for an independent Arakan state is not one that includes Rohingya. The rumour is that they are happy to stand by whilst the Tatmadaw commit atrocities, and may also engage in atrocities of their own. What this means is that if Aung San Suu Kyi were to admit to what is going on in Rakhine (and she must know about it), she would put herself at odds both with her own military, and the people that they are at war with. All of this is against the backdrop of an election next year, and Rakhine is one of the few parts of Myanmar where the NLD are not popular.

Expand full comment