In a recent interview with BBC, the leader of AA, Twan Mrat Naing, spelt out, AA’s policy on Rohingya. He said all the residents of Rakhine State should have equal rights including the right to citizenship, however, the people of Rakhine may need more time to accept Muslims with their ethnic name Rohingya. He said as Rohingya are claiming that their ancestry in Rakhine State dates back to the 10th century, it would not go down well with the Rakhine people who think that they are the earliest inhabitants in the state. But one positive point mentioned by Twan Mrat Naing was that any approach to the Rohingya issue will be a rights-based approach and through democratic norms. However, in a recent incident with regard to the mistreatment of Rohingya by AA, the rebel group launched their attack against the Burmese military from the Rohingya village, drawing fire from the Burmese military against civilians. As many as 40 homes were destroyed, several were injured, and there are reports of deaths of many Rohingya civilians. This incident took place on 26 January.

While the junta faces defeats and debacles on the battlefield, however, it continues to maintain a status quo in terms of holding on to power. The junta boss seemed to have saved his job for now. A sham constitutional grouping the Defence and Security Council extended the mandate of the junta until August 2024. The sixth time to do so since the coup in 2021.

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