No Peace in Myanmar Without the Rohingya

In a rare and uncompromising diplomatic message, Shahid Hussain, Foreign Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh’s caretaker government, issued a bold statement: There can be no lasting peace in Myanmar without justice for the Rohingya.

Speaking at a high-level diplomatic briefing—his remarks later reported by the Dhaka Tribune—Hussain made it clear that the international community must stop sidestepping the root causes of Myanmar’s conflict.

“Even if the fighting stops, peace won’t return to Myanmar unless the root causes are tackled,” he said. “We’ve clearly told our international partners, including the United States, that the Rohingya issue must be solved for long-term peace.”

One of the major obstacles to a political solution? The Arakan Army (AA). Hussain pointed to the AA’s rising dominance in Rakhine State, including its recent takeover of Maungdaw, but warned of the complexity it adds to diplomacy.

“We cannot hold official talks with them because they are not a legitimate government,” he explained. “But at the same time, we cannot ignore their role on the ground. This makes the situation extremely complicated.”

Since the AA seized control of Maungdaw in December 2024—a region once home to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya—community leaders and human rights groups have reported a surge in rights abuses. These include forced evictions, restricted movement, and a new wave of fear among those who remain in northern Rakhine.

Addressing public assumptions about a frozen bilateral relationship, Hussain shared that the reality is far more nuanced. Trade, services, and border exchanges continue despite political and humanitarian tensions.

“Many people talk about gaps between our two countries, but in reality, it’s not as wide as they think,” he said. “We import a significant amount of services from Myanmar.”

Behind closed doors, the two governments are still talking—especially around customs and trade issues—suggesting that diplomacy is far from dead, even if strained.

Hussain didn’t mince words when calling for international responsibility.

“Only strong global pressure can ensure that a future government in Myanmar will recognize the rights of the Rohingya,” he said.

He urged the global community to look beyond short-term ceasefires and instead focus on the structural injustices that have driven nearly one million Rohingya into exile—most of whom remain confined to overcrowded camps in Bangladesh, with no citizenship, no legal pathway to return, and no protection under current conditions.

As armed groups like the Arakan Army gain ground and international attention shifts elsewhere, voices like Shahid Hussain’s offer a sharp reminder: the fate of the Rohingya is not a side issue—it is the core test of Myanmar’s future.

Rohingya Vision News will continue to monitor how diplomacy, regional security, and human rights intersect on both sides of the border.