A new era dawns in Rakhine
Last Updated on November 21, 2024 7:41 am
Myanmar’s insurgent group Arakan Army captured the former capital of Arakan Kingdom in western Rakhine State on February 8 this year. They also took control of the cities of Minbia and Kyuktao. In fact, on 13 November 2023, fighting resumed between the Arakan Army and the country’s military junta. The pro-independence group has since successfully captured several cities in the state. The Arakan Army also captured two cities in the neighboring South China state. Besides, the military junta destroyed several boats and helicopters. Analysts say the Arakan Army’s continued victories are putting the long-held dream of an independent Arakan within reach of the Rakhine nationalists.
In 1785, the Arakanese Kingdom fell to the Burmese Mandalay Kingdom. During this long period there were numerous rebellions and coups against the Burmese rulers. But this is the first time the Arakanese have been able to take control of Morocco. So the recapture of the former capital on February 8 is seen as a very strong indication of victory.
Even during the British and Japanese occupation, the people of Rakhine State fiercely resisted the colonial powers. Myanmar became independent from Great Britain in 1948. The Rakhine people then emerged as the first challenge to the central government. But still the progress of the Arakan Army in recent times has surpassed any achievements of the past
In 2009, Major General Tuan Mrat Naing and Brigadier General Dr. The Arakan Army rose under the charismatic leadership of Neo Tuan Aung. Which instills a new hope in the people of the state. Because the current leadership of the Arakan Liberation Army or the Arakan Liberation Party has not shown any major progress in the struggle to establish an independent Arakan. The Arakan Army made its official debut in 2014 in Kachin State, bordering China. From there they entered Rakhine State. Then, in late 2016, the Arakan Army released a political roadmap titled ‘Arakan Dream 2020’; Which gained huge popularity.
The ‘Arakan Dream 2020’ plan clearly states – through the use of force, an independent base will be created in Rakhine State, which will have its own administrative system. The plan calls on every Rakhine resident inside and outside the country to participate in the movement. This resulted in two years of massive fighting in the state from late 2018 to 2020 with the Myanmar army. A large number of civilians became refugees. Hundreds of Rakhine people were arrested and killed. In addition, the people of the state had to endure an internet shutdown imposed by the alleged civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi from June 2019 to February 2021, considered the longest internet shutdown in the world at the time.
By late 2020, the Arakan Army was able to reach a working agreement on its plans, further strengthening Rakhine public support for its leadership. Moreover, within a decade, the Arakan Army was supported by its political wing, the United League of Arakan. As a result, it was also able to establish itself as the most powerful ethnic army in Myanmar. Another point to note is that the Arakan Army has not faced any obstacles in recruiting new members like other existing ethnic armed organizations, which is a reflection of its widespread legitimacy among the Rakhine people.
Rakhine State drew national and international attention in November last year, when the Arakan Army broke a shaky ceasefire agreement with the country’s junta. Then in January of this year, they occupied the cities of Paletwa and Sami in the state of South China. The Arakan Army then took control of Pauktao, Minbiya, Mrakou, Kyoktao, Maibon and the northern Rakhine suburb of Taung Pyo one by one. The Arakan Army is also fighting in many other parts of the state, including Rambri, Kyaukphyu, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung and Maungdoo townships. In late January, around 400 border guards of the junta fled to Bangladesh during fighting in the city of Maungdu. Several hundred members of the Junta Force fled to India a few days ago.
Despite the growing focus on the ongoing war in Rakhine, internet blackouts and restrictions on telecommunications make it difficult to determine the true facts there. However, on the day the Arakan Army captured the former capital of Mrauk, Rakhine netizens across the globe celebrated the victory on social media, citing it as the beginning of their long-cherished dream of Arakan autonomy.
Of course many challenges still remain. But Rakhine has long been going through an ordeal of ethnic tension and political unrest. Its diverse population, consisting of the majority Rakhine and Rohingya as well as other ethnic minority groups, has been consistently marginalized and discriminated against under Burmese rule for decades. Additionally, the state bears the stigma of the Myanmar military’s genocidal “ethnic cleansing” campaign against the Rohingya in northern Rakhine in 2017. Added to this is the recent resurgence of ongoing violence. Which is deepening earlier wounds and creating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
But in the midst of all the chaos and despair, there is a glimmer of hope. The continued military advances of the Arakan Army have presented the prospect of a different future for Rakhine and its inhabitants. But some questions inevitably arise about what this possible future might look like. For example, what kind of society is the Arakan Army envisioning? How will they deal with Rakhine minorities including Rohingya? However, some say such questions are best left until the military junta is defeated.
Analysts say there can be no rush to discuss these issues, nor should it be too late. In early 2020, the top leadership of the Arakan Army indicated that they were planning to establish a social democratic state for the people of Rakhine. But he did not specify whether that would be fully independent, or under a possible new federal government in Myanmar—that is, which model of social democratic state the group would follow. Although it is assumed that they are politically inclined towards a one-party system. Again, the current situation suggests that even if an election is to be prepared, a long process will have to be followed.
However, at the center of this new era in Rakhine are its residents. Despite facing new challenges every day in the ongoing war, they are stable and determined to shape their own destiny. The leadership of the Arakan Army has been able to instill the hope of that new era among them. By bridging long-standing divisions between isolated communities, hope is emerging in the midst of despair.
However, Rakhine is still full of obstacles in terms of sustainable development and peace. It stands to reason that the wounds that have been deepened by years of abuse cannot be easily healed. Local and international political players will also vie for influence. That will complicate efforts to bring everyone together. Moreover, extremism can emerge as a threat to disrupt fragile peace and state-building processes. To face these challenges, all stakeholders should come forward with a spirit of cooperation and dialogue. Seeking a future of peace, prosperity and dignity is not an aspiration for the people of Rakhine, it is their right. But achieving this requires bold leadership, unwavering commitment and a strong will to leave behind i.e. face the hard truths of the past.
Although the capture of the Rakhine Kingdom’s former capital, Morocco, has brought new hope to the people there, there is no doubt that they will face more brutal tactics from the junta in the coming weeks and months. It could be artillery shelling, airstrikes or arbitrary mass arrests or many more.
However, the sun is slowly rising in Bagakash, Rakhine, and is shedding its golden light on a township scarred by a long conflict. Everyone hopes that the people of Rakhine will be able to break the chain of the past and build a bright future in their homeland by using this light of the new era.
Author: Journalist Roshan Pradhan