The Arakan Army fighting for an independent Rakhine State in southwestern Myanmar seems to have given up its secessionist goal.
“We’ve never mentioned declaring independence before, and we don’t plan to in the future. However, after over 70 years of historical experience, we’ve learned that our goals are unattainable under the Military-led rule in Myanmar. Our vision is to shape Myanmar’s future through unity. Yet, if it’s clear we can’t achieve our aspirations, we must explore other options, shouldn’t we?”, he said in an interview with the BBC, Major General Twan Mrat Naing, commander-in-chief of the Arakan Army (AA).
He emphasized that while the primary focus of the revolution is to fulfill the aspirations of Rakhine nationalism, known as the ‘Way of Rakhita’, it was equally important to acknowledge and empathize with the hardships experienced by other ethnic communities.
“Our revolution cannot solely focus on Rakhine nationalism because the fate of all oppressed ethnic groups in Myanmar is inter-connected. We as Rakhine people, have our Rakhita Dream, but we must consider........