By Ro Mayyu Islam
“Leadership is not a privilege; it is a trust. For the Rohingya, it is a responsibility born of displacement and survival.”
This is a historic moment for the Rohingya community. For the first time in our displacement, we are witnessing the emergence of organized leadership within the camps of Bangladesh. What may appear modest to outsiders is, in reality, the beginning of self-governance a right we have long been denied.
I extend my sincere congratulations to the newly elected camp presidents. Their mandate is limited in duration, but it carries profound responsibility: to organize life in the camps while preparing the community for a dignified return to Arakan.
The truth is stark: the Rohingya have historically lacked structured leadership, leaving our people vulnerable to division, marginalization, and delayed justice. Leadership can, however, be cultivated and this is the moment to act decisively.
Context and Urgency
Annually, over 30,000 Rohingya children are born in the camps. Yet more than 90% of our population remain uneducated, 80% lack stable livelihoods, and our youth face a blocked future. Meanwhile, in Arakan, our families continue to live under constant threat. These circumstances demand a roadmap that is practical, unifying, and forward-looking.
As I often remind the youth of our community:
"If we cannot lead ourselves in the camps, how can we ever lead ourselves in Arakan?"
A Seven-Point Strategic Roadmap
1. Strengthen Camp Institutions
Rohingya-led organizations must be empowered with responsibility over education, welfare, and community development. Shared accountability builds leadership capacity and ensures continuity beyond individual terms.
2. Revitalize Education
A modernized curriculum should integrate Rohingya language, history, and Islamic studies, alongside mathematics, science, technology, and civic education. Preserving identity while preparing youth for global realities is essential.
3. Establish Health and Skills Training Centers
We must develop internal capacity in healthcare and vocational skills. A midwife training center should target at least 500 students per year, while additional programs in digital literacy, tailoring, carpentry, and other livelihoods will enhance self-reliance and resilience.
4. Form a Negotiation and Unity Council
A formal council should coordinate dialogue with the Rohingya diaspora, political organizations, NGOs, and international stakeholders. Establishing legitimacy and fostering collaboration is key to amplifying the Rohingya voice globally.
5. Engage the Government of Bangladesh
The new leadership must pursue structured engagement with Bangladesh to secure stronger refugee protections, legal recognition, and freedom of movement, in accordance with international refugee law. Respectful negotiation is critical to both dignity and survival.
6. Preserve Justice and Historical Memory
Documenting testimonies, property claims, and human rights violations ensures accountability. Cooperation with international justice mechanisms, including the ICJ and ICC, is imperative to secure recognition of the Rohingya genocide.
7. Develop Dual Roadmaps β Camps and Arakan
- Indoor Roadmap: Strengthen education, healthcare, livelihoods, and governance in the camps.
- Outdoor Roadmap: Strategize for safe repatriation, political participation, and administrative inclusion in Arakan. Every Rohingya must have a role in shaping this future.
Additional Strategic Priorities
- Women and Youth Inclusion: Women-led committees addressing GBV and youth councils promoting sports, technology, and civic engagement.
- Economic Self-Reliance: Promote small-scale businesses, community cooperatives, and cash-for-work programs.
- Mental Health and Trauma Support: Counseling centers and trained para-counselors to address psychological needs.
- Unity Across Divisions: A Council of Elders and Scholars to mediate disputes and guide leadership across subgroups.
- Digital and Media Strategy: A Rohingya Media Network to counter misinformation and amplify authentic voices.
- Environmental Preparedness: Disaster resilience measures for monsoons, cyclones, and landslides.
- International Advocacy: A Camp Advocacy Desk to coordinate with UN agencies, NGOs, and embassies, ensuring global representation.
Leadership is not measured in six-month terms; it is measured in vision, responsibility, and service. The success of the new camp administration will not only improve conditions in exile but also lay the foundation for the eventual return to Arakan.
“Our struggle is not only for survival; it is for dignity, justice, and the right to reclaim our homeland.”
May Allah grant our leaders wisdom and courage. The eyes of our community and the world are upon them.
About the Author:
Ro Mayyu Islam is a Rohingya political analyst, community leader, and human rights researcher. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Rohingya Genocide Prevention Research Network (RoGPRN) and leads the Rohingya Genocide Witness Initiative. His work focuses on Rohingya political affairs, forced displacement, and advocacy for justice, self-determination, and sustainable development for Rohingya communities.