Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh government has conveyed to the Arakan Army that the Rohingya population must be included in various positions within the new Arakan Administration in Myanmar’s Rakhine State to demonstrate that they do not support ethnic cleansing.
This message was communicated through the United Nations, according to Khalilur Rahman, National Security Adviser and High Representative of the Chief Adviser, during a briefing on Tuesday.
The adviser emphasised the importance of engaging with the Arakan Army, as they control areas along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.
He asserted that as a sovereign nation, Bangladesh has the right to determine with whom it communicates. “It is necessary to communicate with the Arakan Army given their control over areas on our border,” the adviser said.
The government is also working to prevent any further influx of Rohingya refugees, with Rahman reiterating that Bangladesh is not in a position to allocate additional land for refugee camps. He pointed out that existing camps have already led to severe environmental damage, including extensive deforestation.
Regarding the issue of providing aid to Myanmar, Rahman stated that several factors, including the consent of the Myanmar government, must be addressed before any decision can be made.
On the subject of India’s increased military presence along its borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, Rahman expressed no concern, stating that both countries maintain positive relations, and there was no immediate need for enhanced security on the Indian borders.
