By Jar Seng / MPA
Reports indicate the invitation of ULA/AA to other ethnic minority groups to participate equally in the future establishment of Rakhine State is expected.
In September 2024, after AA’s Chief of Staff, Major General Twan Mrat Naing, stated that Rakhine State would be governed under the leadership of ULA/AA and operated as a unified state, other ethnic groups began to express such hopes.
“We, all of the minority groups, are both concerned and hopeful about the current implementation of the ULA/AA’s administrative mechanism. Every minority group in Rakhine State should be given opportunities to participate in political processes and decision-making positions,” said Ko Tun (name changed), a Daingnet man involved in Rakhine State’s development.
Currently, ULA/AA controls 11 townships in Rakhine State, including Paletwa Township in Chin State, and administrative mechanisms are in operation.
ULA/AA has stated that non-Rakhine ethnic groups can also participate in the governance process. Ethnic groups are seeking a political system that involves multiple parties or ethnic groups, rather than a one-party dictatorship, in the future establishment of Rakhine State.
“We want to resolve political issues through political means. We are especially concerned that by overthrowing one authoritarian regime, we may create another. That’s why we have never liked a one-party system, as it leads to dictatorship. We want a federal democratic system, where we can participate in political dialogue. That’s also why we established a party. We want the future of Rakhine to be shaped by political discussions and negotiations,” said U Than Htay, a representative of the Khami National Development Party.
In Rakhine State, Chin, Mro, Khami, Thet, Daingnet, Maramagyi, Kaman, and Rohingya (Muslims) communities reside, and minority ethnic groups point out the need for all of them to be involved in the political processes and decision-making of Rakhine State.
Additionally, there are concerns among minority ethnic groups that ULA/AA has not yet clearly presented their policies openly.
“So far, ULA/AA has not invited us to draft policies related to minority issues. We do not want them to exclude us and instead consult with people who can be easily influenced to draft policies for minorities,” said a representative of the Mro National Democracy Party.
ULA/AA claims to be striving for an equal and transparent administration that ensures equality and social harmony among different ethnic groups as they begin to establish governance in the areas under their control.
“It can be observed that in the administrative sector established by ULA, the members are all representatives of various ethnic groups. Our main mission is to ensure that minorities are included in governance structures. All members, including judges, police officers, and party cadres, must be involved,” Major General Twan Mrat Naing stated in a Diplomat interview in September.
Since August 2021, ULA/AA has implemented administrative and judicial mechanisms in Rakhine State, inviting local minorities to participate. However, many non-Rakhine minorities have pointed out that they are being invited only to be used rather than being equally included by political means.