Dhaka wants Rohingya role in Rakhine’s leadership

Bangladesh wants the Arakan Army, which now controls 80 percent of Rakhine state, to have Rohingya representation in Rakhine's leadership as one of the conditions for providing humanitarian channel to send aid there, said National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman.

After a meeting with Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain at the foreign ministry yesterday evening, he said, "We will observe whether all parties agree. Even if they do, it does not automatically mean that we will provide humanitarian aid. There are other considerations. Bangladesh wants Rohingya representation in the new governing body being formed in Arakan."

Bangladesh is in talks with the Arakan Army through the UN and the Myanmar junta government on the UN-proposed channel as a means of stability in Rakhine state that could eventually lead to Rohingya repatriation.

There was no agreement, however, as there was no consensus on this with the Myanmar junta and the Arakan Army.

Rohingyas are fleeing to Bangladesh every day to escape a famine-like situation and alleged repression by the Arakan Army.

"The Rohingyas who are there [Rakhine state] must not be subjected to persecution or discrimination and compelled to flee to Bangladesh in large numbers. These conditions must be met. Bangladesh will never accept ethnic cleansing," said Khalilur, also chief adviser's high representative on the Rohingya issue and priority matters.

He said Bangladesh is trying to prevent the entry of new Rohingyas, and through the UN, conveyed to the Arakan Army that Bangladesh wants to see the inclusion of Rohingyas at all levels of the new administration being formed in Rakhine.

"If they [the Arakan Army] fail to do this, it will amount to ethnic cleansing. We cannot support it under any circumstances. If the Arakan Army does not take this step, continuing discussions with them will be very difficult."

Asked if the Arkan Army responded, Khalilur said it was yet to.

"Once we get an answer, we will evaluate the nature of the response. There is no ambiguity here. The matter is black and white. Either they support ethnic cleansing, or not.

"This is a test for the Arakan Army. We are waiting to see whether they can pass it."

Asked how Bangladesh can communicate with a non-state actor, Khalilur said Bangladesh is a sovereign state and can speak with whomever it wants based on national interests. "It doesn't matter what others say."

"We have developed and are implementing an independent foreign policy. Myanmar has labelled the Arakan Army as a terrorist organisation, yet they also maintain contact with them."

He added that the Arakan Army currently controls the region across the Bangladesh border in the southeastern region and thus Bangladesh must manage, protect, and maintain peace along this border. Communication with the Arakan Army is necessity.

"They are present across the border, so we have to work with them…If the Myanmar Army regains control of the border area, then we will contact them, as we did previously."

Khalilur said Bangladesh also has understanding with the Myanmar government on Rohingya issue, trade, and other matters. Bangladesh extended assistance without waiting for a request from Myanmar.

"Solving any problem requires communication with all parties involved; the problem otherwise will not be resolved."

Meanwhile, Foreign Adviser Touhid yesterday said he conveyed to Pakistan that Bangladesh seeks peace and wants to avoid any form of conflict in the region, UNB reports.

He highlighted the importance of dialogue in finding a solution to any problem during his telephone conversation with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Monday night.

Asked whether the message would be conveyed to India, he said, "If India wants to know anything from me, I will inform Delhi exactly the same thing. I don't need to say anything in advance."

The adviser said the Pakistan foreign minister called to brief him on the steps Islamabad has taken following recent developments in the region.