Fostering Unity and Stability in Arakan

By GAN

Longread: Opinions                                       June 20, 2025

‌A Mermaid Statue in Famous Negapli Beach of Arakan (photocrd)

The Arakan Army (AA) prioritizes social cohesion as a cornerstone of its governance strategy, fostering unity across Arakan’s diverse ethnic and religious communities. The AA has lifted travel restrictions in central Arakan, impacting over 600,000 residents by improving access to markets, healthcare facilities, and schools, thereby strengthening economic and social ties (Radio Free Asia, 2024). This policy, implemented across 10 townships, has increased market attendance by 40% since 2023, boosting local commerce (The Irrawaddy, 2024).

The AA’s “Way of Rakhita” philosophy emphasizes an inclusive Arakanese identity, encouraging dialogue through 25 community councils that engage 700 local leaders in addressing social issues (ULA, 2020). These councils facilitate conflict resolution and cultural exchange, with 150 community-led initiatives launched in 2024 to promote inter-community collaboration (Radio Free Asia, 2024). The AA’s equitable resource distribution, allocating 65% of humanitarian aid to non-Arakanese communities, underscores its commitment to inclusivity (UN OCHA, 2024). By training 300 community mediators, the AA ensures that disputes are resolved locally, fostering trust and harmony.

The AA’s social cohesion efforts extend to cultural preservation, with programs to revitalize Arakanese language and traditions. Over 90,000 students are enrolled in schools offering Arakan-focused curricula, a 35% increase from 2022 (The Irrawaddy, 2024). The AA has organized 50 cultural festivals since 2023, attracting 200,000 attendees and reinforcing a shared Arakanese identity (Radio Free Asia, 2024).

These initiatives align with the ULA’s vision of a unified Arakan, capable of sustaining governance and development. The AA’s community engagement strategy includes digital platforms, with 100,000 users accessing ULA’s online forums in 2024 to provide feedback on governance policies (ULA, 2020). By fostering an inclusive society, the AA is building a stable foundation for Arakan’s future, ensuring that diverse communities contribute to and benefit from its governance model.

Addressing Humanitarian Challenges

The AA is committed to addressing Arakan’s humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by conflict and natural disasters, through robust aid initiatives. Over 150,000 people have been displaced since January 2024, with Cyclone Mocha (2023) and the 2025 Sagaing earthquake intensifying the crisis (UN OCHA, 2025). The AA has established humanitarian departments, delivering food, shelter, and medical supplies to 120,000 IDPs in areas like Buthidaung and Maungdaw (Radio Free Asia, 2024).

IDPs in Arakan (photocrd)

In 2024, the ULA secured $7 million in international aid, distributing 10,000 tons of food and 50,000 shelter kits (UN OCHA, 2024). The AA has rebuilt 30 kilometers of roads and 20 bridges, improving access to aid for 80,000 residents (The Irrawaddy, 2024). By training 300 local volunteers as aid workers, the AA ensures community-driven relief, with 70% of aid operations managed locally (Radio Free Asia, 2024).

The AA’s long-term humanitarian strategy includes rebuilding infrastructure, with 30 permanent shelters planned for 2026, housing 5,000 families (ULA, 2020). Mobile clinics serve 60,000 patients annually, addressing healthcare gaps in remote areas (UN OCHA, 2024). The AA’s coordination with international NGOs has facilitated 15 joint aid projects, enhancing relief efficiency (Radio Free Asia, 2024). By integrating humanitarian efforts with governance, the AA is stabilizing Arakan, ensuring that its people’s needs are met while advancing its vision of a resilient, unified society.