Building Inclusive Arakan Governance Through Four Key Principles

Opinion

Global Arakan Network September 23, 2025

ULA Chairperson, General Twan Mrat Naing with Muslim Leaders in Maungdaw (photocrd)

Arakan, a land of breathtaking coastal beauty and rugged mountains, stands at a pivotal moment in its history. As the United League of Arakan (ULA) consolidates control over much of Rakhine State, the challenge of governing a multi-ethnic, multi-religious region demands a vision that transcends division and embraces unity.

Historically, Arakan’s strength has been its pluralism, but centuries of external conquest, colonial policies, and post-colonial mismanagement have fractured its social fabric. Today, the ULA’s governance model, rooted in four key principles—pragmatism, neutralism, meritocracy, and grassroots participation—offers a blueprint for inclusive governance that honors Arakan’s diverse heritage while forging a resilient future.

Arakan’s Pluralist Heritage: A Foundation for Unity

Arakan’s history is a testament to its pluralist spirit. The ancient kingdom of Mrauk-U, at its zenith from the 15th to 18th centuries, was a cosmopolitan hub where Buddhist Arakanese kings ruled alongside thriving communities of Muslims, Hindus, and Christians. Mrauk-U’s ports buzzed with trade from Persia, Portugal, and beyond, fostering a cultural mosaic that enriched the region.

Mosques, temples, and churches coexisted, and the kingdom’s administrative systems integrated diverse groups into its governance. This pluralism was not merely tolerance but a dynamic synergy that fueled Arakan’s prosperity. For instance, Muslim scholars served in royal courts, and Hindu artisans contributed to the kingdom’s architectural grandeur, such as the iconic Shitthaung Temple.

This historical precedent is a guiding light for the ULA today. By invoking Mrauk-U’s legacy, the ULA signals its intent to revive a governance model where diversity is a strength, not a liability. The challenge lies in translating this vision into modern governance, especially in a region scarred by decades of conflict.

The ULA’s commitment to pluralism is not just nostalgic but strategic, aiming to rebuild trust among Rakhine, Bangagya (Rohingya), Mro, Chakma, and other communities. This approach counters the divisive narratives that have long plagued Arakan, setting the stage for the ULA’s four-pronged governance strategy.

Historical Disruptions: Learning from a Fractured Past

The seeds of Arakan’s modern challenges were sown during the Burmese conquest of 1784 and subsequent British colonial rule. The fall of Mrauk-U to the Konbaung Dynasty disrupted local power structures, but British policies in the 19th and early 20th centuries exacerbated tensions. Large-scale immigration from Chittagong, driven by colonial economic demands, altered Arakan’s socioeconomic landscape. The influx of labor reshaped land ownership and agricultural patterns, creating competition between Rakhine and newcomer communities, particularly Muslims. These tensions erupted in the 1942 communal violence, a tragic episode fueled by economic disparities and colonial neglect.

Post-independence, successive Myanmar governments failed to heal these wounds. Instead, they exploited cultural and religious differences for political gain, manipulating electoral politics and enacting discriminatory policies like the 1982 Citizenship Law, which stripped many Bangagya of their rights. This legacy of division, compounded by military propaganda, has left deep scars. The ULA, aware of this history, approaches governance with caution, seeking to avoid the pitfalls of its predecessors. By prioritizing inclusive policies, the ULA aims to restore Arakan’s pluralist ethos while addressing the socioeconomic grievances that fuel unrest.

The Four Pillars of Inclusive Governance

The ULA’s governance model rests on four key principles, each designed to address Arakan’s unique challenges while fostering unity and progress.

1. Pragmatism: Solutions Over Propaganda

In a region battered by conflict and misinformation, the ULA prioritizes practical solutions over divisive rhetoric. Unlike external activists in Western capitals who often amplify polarized narratives, the ULA focuses on tangible outcomes: rebuilding infrastructure, ensuring food security, and restoring education and healthcare. For example, in liberated townships like Minbya and Buthidaung, the ULA has distributed aid to counter junta-imposed blockades that threaten starvation for over 5 lakhs of people.

This pragmatism grounds governance in the daily needs of Arakan’s people, from providing clean water to securing markets for local farmers. By addressing these immediate concerns, the ULA builds trust across ethnic lines, showing that governance can deliver results rather than empty promises or imported agendas.

2. Neutralism: A Government for All

Neutralism is the ULA’s commitment to representing all of Arakan’s communities—Rakhine, Bangagya, Hindu, Christian, and others—without favoring any single group. This principle counters the junta’s tactic of pitting ethnicities against each other. The ULA’s administrative structures include diverse representation, with Bangagya leaders involved in civil governance and Rakhine officials working alongside Mro and Chakma counterparts.

Muslim Soldiers of the AA (photocrd)

For instance, the repeal of taxes on Eid al-Adha Qurbani donations demonstrates sensitivity to Muslim communities, while cultural festivals like Sangrai engage the Chakma and Mro. Neutralism also extends to policy: the ULA’s judicial reforms emphasize equal access to justice, ensuring no group feels marginalized. This inclusive framework is critical in a region where mistrust has been weaponized.

3. Meritocracy: Competence Over Cronyism

The ULA’s emphasis on meritocracy ensures that leadership positions are filled based on skill, education, and dedication to public service, not ethnic affiliations or personal connections. In a region where patronage has historically fueled corruption, this principle is revolutionary. The ULA recruits educated professionals and experienced administrators to lead departments like health and education, fostering efficiency and accountability.

For example, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government (APRG) has prioritized training local educators to revive schools in war-torn areas, selecting candidates based on qualifications rather than clan ties. This approach not only improves governance but also inspires public confidence, showing that the ULA values competence over divisive loyalties.

4. Grassroots Participation: Empowering the People

Grassroots participation ensures that governance reflects the needs of Arakan’s diverse communities, not just a narrow elite. The ULA engages local councils (Muslim Affairs Council), community leaders, and civil society to shape policies, from rebuilding villages to managing IDP camps. In Pauktaw, for instance, community feedback has driven efforts to prioritize child welfare in camps, addressing malnutrition and education access.

Arakanese and Muslim Women in the Market (photocrd)

This participatory model contrasts sharply with the junta’s top-down repression, fostering accountability and ownership. By empowering villagers to voice their needs—whether Rakhine farmers or Bangagya returnees—the ULA builds a governance system that is responsive and inclusive, rooted in the aspirations of its people.

The ULA’s commitment to these four principles offers hope. Pragmatism ensures resources reach those in need; neutralism builds bridges between communities; meritocracy fosters trust in institutions; and grassroots participation empowers Arakan’s people to shape their future. By drawing on Mrauk-U’s pluralist legacy, the ULA is not just governing but reimagining Arakan as a model of inclusive democracy in Myanmar’s broader resistance.