UN Secretary-General visits Bangladesh to meet Rohingya
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka on Thursday to begin a four-day official visit at the invitation of the interim government’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials said that Guterres will meet with Yunus on Friday. The two will discuss how the U.N. can better assist with Rohingya repatriation to Burma.
“We firmly believe that the visit will help bring the [Rohingya] crisis to the global spotlight,” Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to Yunus, told the media on Wednesday. He added that humanitarian aid for the Rohingya has declined “sharply” as the World Food Programme (WFP) struggles with a funding shortfall. It has stated that it will cut monthly rations to refugees in half, from $12.50 to $6 USD per person.
Following their meeting on Friday, Guterres and Yunus will fly to Cox’s Bazar to visit the refugee camps, where over one million Rohingya stay temporarily until they can be repatriated to Arakan State, according to Bangladesh. A U.N. high-level meeting on the Rohingya crisis is scheduled for September. Yunus has called it a sustainable plan that will resolve the refugee crisis.
A humanitarian corridor into Myanmar?
Fortify Rights called on Bangladesh and the Arakan Army (AA) to urgently facilitate cross-border humanitarian aid and border trade to assist conflict-affected residents of Arakan, including the Rohingya, on Wednesday. It accused the regime in Naypyidaw of “systematically” obstructing life-saving humanitarian assistance, which has led to “preventable” civilian deaths.
“A humanitarian corridor between Bangladesh and Myanmar would enable vital aid and trade for all communities. Failure to act will cost lives,” said Ejaz Min Khant, a human rights associate at Fortify Rights. Over 519,000 people are displaced across Arakan, with more than two million urgently requiring food, medicine, and essential supplies, according to the U.N.
The AA took control of the entire 168 mile (271 km) long Burma-Bangladesh border when it seized Maungdaw Township of northern Arakan on Dec. 8. It now controls 14 of 17 Arakan townships since it launched its state-wide offensive in November 2023. The state capital Sittwe, the deep sea port Kyaukphyu, and the island of Manaung remain under regime control.
Regime rejects Indian lawmaker’s proposal to reclaim Kabaw Valley
The regime in Naypyidaw rejected an Indian lawmaker’s proposal on Wednesday to reclaim Burma’s Kabaw Valley, which is located in Sagaing Region’s Tamu Township bordering India’s Manipur State. Tamu is located in northwest Burma near Chinland and is 210 miles (337 km) from the region’s capital Monywa and about 140 miles (225 km) from Tedim, the nearest town, in northern Chinland.
“This [plan to reclaim the area] is by focusing solely on political ambition. Indian politicians should respect Myanmar’s sovereign territory and not harm Myanmar-India relations,” Zaw Min Tun told regime media. Indian media reported that Sanajaoba Leishemba, a member of parliament from Manipur State, demanded that India reclaim the Kabaw Valley during a parliamentary session in the capital New Delhi on March 10.
Sanajaoba Leishemba claimed that the Kabaw Valley, covering 22,210 square kilometres, was “an integral part of Manipur and a fertile land under Manipuri rule since 1450.” The Hindu newspaper reported on March 5 that K. Vanlalvena, a Mizoram State member of parliament, visited Burma’s Chinland in late February to meet with the Chinland Council and called on them to join the Indian union.
News by Region
BAGO—The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) announced on Tuesday that two of its medical officers were killed and one was injured during an airstrike carried out by the Burma Air Force in Htantabin Township on March 8. Htantabin is located 60 miles (96 km) northeast of the region’s capital Bago.
“One of two officers killed instantly after the aircraft dropped incendiary bombs on the village where they were providing medical treatments,” FBR stated in a press release on March 11. Naw Say Moo Paw, 25, died from her injuries two days later. She had provided medical assistance to the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and worked at the Hu Mu Del Clinic.
ARAKAN—The WFP told DVB that it is “merely rumours” that it would shut down its work in Sittwe Township due to escalating conflict between the AA and regime forces. Over 8,000 Sittwe residents, who have been displaced from their homes, live in 53 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
“Our office in Sittwe is still operating,” said a WFP official. A Buddhist monk in Sittwe, who provides assistance to the IDPs, told DVB that the WFP gave 50,000 MMK ($11 USD) per month up until December. But he added that this month two months worth of aid was distributed to each IDP. Forty-six IDP camps in Sittwe rely on food aid from the WFP.
SHAN—The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) administration in Lashio, northern Shan State, told DVB that the town is operating normally and it is planning to hold the Thingyan Festival April 13-17. Lashio is located 107 miles (172 km) south of Muse on the Burma-China border. It came under MNDAA control on Aug. 3.
“I don’t trust the military. I am worried there will be airstrikes if residents are gathered. The town is stable and we want to celebrate the festivities, peacefully,” a Lashio resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Despite reports that the MNDAA would withdraw by June, Lashio remains under its control.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,400 MMK)
