Foreign Advisor justifies contact with Arakan Army as a ‘necessity’

Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain has said that Bangladesh must maintain contact with the Arakan Army, a rebel group that has taken control of Myanmar’s western border regions, "out of necessity" for its own interests.

Responding to questions from journalists at the Foreign Ministry on Sunday, he said: "We have officially acknowledged that the situation along Bangladesh’s border has changed, we cannot deny it. The entire stretch of our border with Myanmar is now under the control of non-state actors. The central government has no authority there.”

"Therefore, in our own interest, we must maintain some form of communication. While we cannot engage in official communications with a non-state actor, it is not possible to remain entirely disconnected either. We will maintain whatever level of engagement is necessary."

Following ongoing conflict between Myanmar’s military junta and rebel groups, the Arakan Army has seized full control of Rakhine State adjacent to Bangladesh, in December last year, with the exception of the Kyaukpyu seaport, which remains under the junta's control.

Efforts to repatriate Rohingya refugees to their native Rakhine have failed over the past seven years. In December, for the first time, Bangladesh’s interim government announced that it had opened communication with the Arakan Army.

Additionally, the interim government, headed by Muhammad Yunus, has agreed to the United Nations’ proposal to establish a humanitarian assistance channel into war-torn Rakhine.

When asked whether engagement with the Arakan Army risks dragging Bangladesh into Myanmar’s internal conflict, the advisor responded: "Whether or not we become entangled in Myanmar’s internal affairs is another matter. But the conflict in Myanmar is directly linked to our national interest because a large number of their citizens have taken refuge in Bangladesh, and we want to facilitate their return.”

"We must do whatever is necessary to support their repatriation, because our national interest demands it."

Regarding the humanitarian assistance channel in Rakhine, Tauhid said, "I can say that, in principle, we agree with it, because it would be a humanitarian passage.”

"However, we have set certain conditions, and without delving into details, if those conditions are met, we will certainly cooperate under the supervision of the United Nations."

When asked about reports of the Arakan Army celebrating inside Bangladesh’s territory, 10km within the Bandarban border, he commented: "This matter has already been discussed extensively. As far as I know, the Ministry of Home Affairs is handling it. I do not wish to overstep into their responsibilities, let us see how the situation unfolds."