Monthly Report | Febuary 2023

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, alongside deputy ethnic affairs minister and ex-ANP leader Zaw Aye Maung,were seen in their visit to Rakhine’s Capital Sittwe in Feb.28.2023 (Photo/Western News)
 

Table of content

  • Key Remarks
  • Toward a More Critical Politics
  • Frustrated Economic Situation
  • Communities are Socially Insecure
  • Internally Displaced Persons Under Pressure
  • Key Remarks

  • In February 2023, both tensions and relaxation could be seen in politics in Rakhine State. Tensions between the Arakan Army, and junta forces happened due after the junta forces' reinforcement such as military types of equipment, patrol and attempted more restrictions toward the ULA administrative and judiciary sectors in the southern townships such as Kyuatkyu and Tanggok. Relaxation could be found in the areas of trade, transportation, and communication sectors. On the other hand, electoral politics regarding the coming junta “sham” elections in August have become more repetitive in the local news as the trend is to be watched.
  • The economic situation remains frustrating despite the fact that the current “humanitarian” truce is in place. It has frequently seen that many people without formal documents attempted to immigrate for work to other parts of the countries and neighboring countries such as Thailand and Malaysia. While multi-million-dollar foreign investments between the Junta regime and foreign countries such as China and India are in the process of implementation, small and medium enterprises in the Rakhine state, jobless cases have been at the top.
  • Community security in Rakhine state is now under-challenged in many parts of Rakhine. Typical instances can mostly be found in the urban Sittwe areas under the control of the junta authority. Besides, university and basic education systems in Rakhine are now under regular operation, but challenges come out due to the rising price of general commodities and living costs in the State's Capital Sittwe.
  • The Internally Displaced Persons in Rakhine have been forced to return to their home by Junta authorities, and they are under more and more pressure for the relocation by both means of coercion and incentives of the junta authorities. However, guarantees for the security and economic livelihood in their original locations have not been found yet. On the other hand, the scarcity of water can be found in the displacement camps due to the rising temperature, and shelter construction is recommended to be prepared for the coming rainy seasons as well.
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    The CAS is an independent, non-partisan and research-oriented group conducting research and analyzing issues related to Arakan/Rakhine affairs.

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