Dialogue with the Arakan Army is Crucial: Guterres

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for essential dialogue with the Arakan Army (AA) on Saturday, stating that engagement with the group is necessary to ensure the full respect of the rights of the Rohingya population in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. However, Guterres also acknowledged that the ongoing heavy fighting between the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army makes the immediate, dignified return of Rohingya refugees extremely difficult.

Speaking at a joint media briefing with Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Guterres emphasized that international pressure is needed to end the violence in Myanmar and help restore democracy in the country. "It is vital that the international community, alongside Myanmar's neighbors, including Bangladesh, work together to cease the fighting and establish the conditions for a democratic solution. This would facilitate the safe return of Rohingya refugees," he said.

Guterres further underscored the need to intensify humanitarian aid inside Myanmar, which would contribute to creating conditions conducive to the return of refugees. He also suggested that a humanitarian aid channel from Bangladesh could be considered, contingent upon authorization and cooperation from Myanmar authorities.

In line with these efforts, rights organizations such as Fortify Rights have called on both the Bangladeshi government and the Arakan Army to facilitate the delivery of life-saving aid to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar. "A humanitarian corridor between Bangladesh and Myanmar would enable critical aid and trade to reach all affected communities. Failure to act will cost lives," said Ejaz Min Khant, a Human Rights Associate at Fortify Rights.

When asked if the issue of a humanitarian corridor was discussed during his visit, Foreign Affairs Adviser Hossain explained that while these matters have been addressed in interactions with the international community, they were not part of the official talks with Guterres. "This is more of an operational matter, which we will handle through local UN offices," Hossain noted.

Regarding the repatriation of the Rohingya, the Bangladeshi government reiterated its commitment to ensuring their safe return to Myanmar. Hossain emphasized that the solution lies with Myanmar and that pressure must be applied to convince all relevant authorities to enable the return of the refugees to their rightful place. "It is time to unify our efforts to press Myanmar authorities to allow the Rohingyas to return," he said.

On the issue of sanctions, Guterres acknowledged their potential impact but also noted the difficulty in securing approval from the UN Security Council. He emphasized the need for broader international consensus in tackling the crisis.

During his visit to the Rohingya refugee camps on Friday, Guterres vowed to take all possible measures to prevent further hardship, as the reduction in aid funding poses a significant threat to critical relief efforts. The cuts, largely stemming from major donors such as the United States and several European nations, risk exacerbating the already dire situation in Cox's Bazar, where more than a million Rohingya refugees are residing.

Describing Cox's Bazar as "ground zero" for the crisis, Guterres warned of a looming disaster if aid is further reduced. "The risk of cutting food rations is imminent," he said. "This would be an unmitigated disaster, leading to unnecessary suffering and loss of life."

Emphasizing his visit as an act of solidarity, Guterres expressed his admiration for the resilience of the Rohingya refugees and the generosity of the Bangladeshi people who have opened their doors to them. "The more than one million Rohingya refugees here are resilient. They need the world's support," he said.

In addition to addressing the humanitarian crisis, Guterres held talks with political leaders and members of the Consensus Building Commission to discuss potential reforms. He reiterated the international community’s responsibility not to forget the plight of the Rohingya, stressing that urgent action is needed to bring about lasting change.

Since the brutal 2017 attacks by Myanmar security forces, which led to a mass exodus of Rohingya refugees, the situation has been described by the UN as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” Guterres affirmed that the international community must remain committed to resolving the crisis, highlighting the importance of global solidarity in providing continued support for the Rohingya and ensuring their eventual return to Myanmar with dignity and safety.