Visit of Myanmar delegation this month is uncertain

Staff Reporter  :
A Myanmar delegation was scheduled to arrive in Cox’s Bazar this month for talks with the Rohingyas regarding repatriation, but the matter has now been halted due to the significant impact of devastating cyclone ‘Mocha’ which severely affected the Rakhine State.

The Foreign Ministry on Thursday said that the delegation was expected to arrive by May, but they are assuming that it would be held at a convenient time of Myanmar.
“A delegation from the Bangladesh government and 20 Rohingyas of the first batch, selected for repatriation, visited Maungdaw in Myanmar’s Rakhine State on May 5. All unclear issues raised by the Rohingya after their visit have already been communicated to Myanmar,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin said in the weekly media briefing on Thursday.

“It is expected that a delegation from Myanmar will visit Bangladesh in May or at a mutually convenient time for discussions with the selected Rohingya representatives for repatriation. We hope that the delegation will provide further information on various matters and brief the designated Rohingya for repatriation, which will assist in gaining their trust and facilitating the process,” she said.

In reply to a question about the scheduled date of Myanmar delegation visit, she said, “Due to the impact of the cyclone in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the exact date of the Myanmar delegation’s arrival and the commencement of repatriation have not been determined yet.”