"Voices Amid Strife: Rohingya Perception on Arakan Army, War in Rakhine"

With the support of Canadian Government Funding, The Knowledge for Democracy (K$DM), RAISA team has conducted a critical research which delved into the nuanced perceptions of the Rohingya community amidst the ongoing conflict between the Arakan Army and Myanmar Military, exploring the potential impacts of the Arakan Army's success or failure and the legitimacy of the National Unity Government (NUG) on the Rohingya population. The study also seeks to understand the desires and needs of the Rohingya community during this tumultuous period, with a specific focus on transitional justice and reparations.

The importance of this research lies in amplification of the voices of a marginalized community deeply affected by geopolitical dynamics. By unraveling the perspectives of the Rohingya, the study aspires to contribute essential insights that can inform policies, international interventions, and community-driven initiatives. Understanding how the Rohingya interpret the outcomes of the conflict and the recognition of the NUG is crucial for crafting effective solutions that align with their aspirations and rights.

Key findings of the research includes: 

1. Since the resumption of war in Rakhine State in November 2023, Rohingya have experienced a new and brutal wave of violence. Rohingya face atrocities from the Arakan Army, including mass killing, as well as forced conscription, sexual violence, and everyday insecurity at the hands of multiple armed actors, including the Myanmar Military and Rohingya militias.

2. Rohingya persecution is deeply intertwined with land dispossession, reflecting what many participants see as an ethnic cleansing attempt by the Arakan Army. Rohingya families are trapped between violence and deprivation and subject to new forms of restriction, extortion and taxation at the hands of the AA, driving many to leave Rakhine.

3. Human trafficking brokers connected with armed groups, including the AA, facilitate displacement by relocating Rohingya beyond Myanmar for large sums, reaping profits in the process.

4. Everyday survival is extremely tenuous for Rohingya. From Bangladesh to Buthidaung to Yangon, Rohingya people are currently suffering insecurity, humanitarian emergency, loss of livelihoods, and deprivation of education and health services. These sufferings are compounded by discrimination and onerous taxation in AA-controlled areas. Yet they are rarely reported in the media.

5. Rohingya views on political actors are astute and evolving. While many participants expressed support for the Arakan Army’s resistance to the Myanmar Military, ongoing violations have led to growing distrust of the AA, and some respondents felt that life under the AA is worse than previous conditions under the Myanmar Military. Some participants, particularly those from Northern Rakhine, had little knowledge of the National Unity Government, while others expressed a range of opinions, including skepticism of former NLD members who failed to speak out about the 2017 genocide and optimism for future NUG leadership. All participants expressed strong opposition and deep distrust of Rohingya militias, rejecting them as representative of the Rohingya community.

6. Rohingya identified urgent needs including access to humanitarian aid and the return of land and homes. Participants identified statelessness, resulting from the denial of citizenship, as the root cause of their suffering and called for an end to discrimination, inclusive peacebuilding and transitional justice. Participants hoped for a future Myanmar in which the Rohingya can reclaim their land, live in peace, and be part of a country that guarantees equality and justice for all ethnic groups.