Advancing the Arakan Dream Through Self-Governance

By GAN

Longread: Opinions                                       June 16, 2025

Pagodas in Mrauk-U (photocrd)

The Arakan Army (AA), guided by the ideological framework of the “Way of Rakhita” and the “Arakan Dream 2020,” has transformed Arakanese State’s governance landscape, administering a 40,000-square-kilometer territory with a population exceeding 3 million (Radio Free Asia, 2024). Through its political wing, the United League of Arakan (ULA), the AA has established a comprehensive administrative system that prioritizes local needs and cultural preservation.

By December 2024, the AA controlled 14 of Arakan’s 17 townships, enabling the ULA to implement policies that foster self-reliance and community participation (The Irrawaddy, 2024). The ULA has developed judicial systems, including 15 local courts across controlled areas, which adjudicate civil and criminal cases based on customary Arakanese laws, ensuring justice aligns with local values (ULA, 2020).

The taxation system, generating an estimated $2 million annually, funds public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, reducing dependency on external resources (Radio Free Asia, 2024). Since 2023, the AA has rebuilt 17 schools and 15 clinics in conflict-affected areas, benefiting over 100,000 residents (UN OCHA, 2023). These institutions reflect a commitment to replacing the Myanmar junta’s oppressive structures with a governance model rooted in Arakanese aspirations.

The AA’s governance strategy emphasizes participatory mechanisms, with 12 community councils established to engage local leaders in decision-making processes (ULA, 2020). These councils, comprising over 500 elected representatives, address issues ranging from land disputes to resource allocation, fostering transparency and trust. The AA has trained 1,200 administrators since 2020 to manage public services, ensuring administrative efficiency across urban and rural areas (Radio Free Asia, 2024).

The ULA’s education department has introduced curricula incorporating Arakanese history and language, enrolling 8,000 students in 2024, a 30% increase from the previous year (The Irrawaddy, 2024). Healthcare initiatives include mobile clinics serving 5,000 patients annually in remote areas, addressing gaps left by the junta’s neglect (UN OCHA, 2024). The AA’s governance model integrates modern administrative practices with traditional Arakanese values, aligning with the “Way of Rakhita” philosophy of collective progress and cultural integrity.

By investing in human capital and institutional capacity, the AA is building a resilient governance framework capable of sustaining long-term autonomy. The ULA’s plans to digitize administrative processes by 2026, including a centralized database for public records, aim to enhance efficiency and accessibility, positioning Arakan as a model for self-governance in conflict-affected regions.

The AA’s governance extends to environmental sustainability, with policies to protect Arakan’s natural resources. The ULA has implemented reforestation programs, planting 20,000 trees since 2023 to combat deforestation caused by conflict and Cyclone Mocha (UN OCHA, 2023). These efforts support agricultural communities, which constitute 60% of Arakan’s workforce, and ensure long-term economic stability (Radio Free Asia, 2024).

The AA’s strategic vision includes establishing a regional development fund, projected to raise $15 million by 2027, to finance infrastructure projects like roads and irrigation systems (ULA, 2020). By fostering local ownership and accountability, the AA is creating a governance model that empowers the Arakanese people to shape their future, reflecting the core tenets of the “Arakan Dream.”

Leveraging Strategic Military Achievements

The AA’s military successes provide the foundation for its governance capabilities, enabling the ULA to administer controlled territories effectively. By December 2024, the AA had secured 14 of Arakan’s 17 townships, including key urban centers like Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Buthidaung, covering approximately 80% of the state’s territory (The Irrawaddy, 2024). The capture of the Myanmar military’s Western Command headquarters in Ann on December 20, 2024, marked a pivotal achievement, demonstrating the AA’s operational discipline and strategic foresight (Radio Free Asia, 2024).

AA soldiers in Southernmost Areas of Arakan (photoaainfodesk)

This victory, achieved with minimal civilian disruption, underscored the AA’s commitment to stability. The AA’s control over Paletwa, a critical trade hub, has expanded its territorial influence, facilitating governance across a contiguous region (The Irrawaddy, 2024). With an estimated 30,000 trained personnel, the AA maintains security in controlled areas, enabling the ULA to focus on state-building (Radio Free Asia, 2024).

The AA’s military strategy emphasizes precision and coordination, securing strategic infrastructure like ports and border crossings to support economic and administrative functions. The control of Sittwe Port, part of India’s $484 million Kaladan project, ensures trade connectivity, while Kyaukphyu’s deepwater port, a $8 billion Chinese investment, enhances Arakan’s economic potential (The Irrawaddy, 2024).

Military operations are designed to minimize collateral damage, with the AA implementing strict codes of conduct to protect civilian populations, as evidenced by zero reported civilian casualties during the Ann operation (The Irrawaddy, 2024). The AA’s territorial gains enable governance initiatives to reach remote areas, with 200 kilometers of roads secured for safe travel and aid delivery (UN OCHA, 2024). By integrating military and governance objectives, the AA ensures that territorial control translates into tangible benefits for the Arakanese people, advancing the “Arakan Dream” of sovereignty and self-determination.