How can we understand the philosophy of ‘Way of Rakhita’ (WOR) and Arakan Dream developed by ULA leadership?

FAQ About Arakan Affairs ၊ October 10, 2026

The philosophy of the ‘Way of Rakhita’ (WOR) and the ‘Arakan Dream’ serve as the foundational ideological pillars of the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army, combining historical restoration with a pragmatic political vision for the future. The ‘Way of Rakhita’ is fundamentally a rallying cry that evokes the memory of the once-powerful Arakan Kingdom, which was defeated and annexed by the Bamar Konbaung dynasty in 1784.

This historical humiliation, which the Arakanese people have endured for over two centuries under chauvinistic Burman military domination and other colonial powers, forms the emotional and psychological core of the movement. Major General Twan Mrat Naing, Commander-in-Chief of the AA, explicitly describes the Way of Rakhita as “the struggle for national liberation and the restoration of Arakan’s sovereignty to the people of Arakan”.

The ‘Arakan Dream,’ initially articulated as “Arakan Dream 2020,” represented the aspiration to achieve self-determination by the end of 2025, though strategic timelines have since evolved as the movement gained military momentum. Together, these concepts reclaim a civilizational identity that predates modern Myanmar’s borders, asserting that Arakan was a sovereign entity long before its forced integration.

However, the ULA leadership has strategically avoided defining these terms in excessive detail, allowing them to function as mobilizing ideals while maintaining political flexibility. The philosophy has matured beyond narrow Rakhine nationalism into a more inclusive framework. In a 2024 BBC interview, Twan Mrat Naing emphasized that “our revolution cannot solely focus on Rakhine nationalism because the fate of all oppressed ethnic groups in Myanmar is inter-connected,” acknowledging that even majority Bamars are oppressed by the military dictatorship. This broader vision prioritizes “multi-ethnic liberation, equal rights, unity, and peace building guided by the Way of Rakhita”.

In practical political terms, the WOR translates into a demand for a “high autonomous status’’, a level of autonomy greater than federalism in some aspects but stopping short of complete independence. The ULA leadership draws explicit comparisons to the United Wa State Army (UWSA) model, which enjoys significant self-governance in northeastern Myanmar.

Crucially, the AA has repeatedly stated it does not seek separation from Myanmar, though Twan Mrat Naing has added the conditional caveat that “if it’s clear we can’t achieve our aspirations, we must explore other options, shouldn’t we?”  This pragmatic ambiguity reflects a leadership that prioritizes the restoration of Arakanese dignity and sovereignty while remaining open to negotiated outcomes within a future federal Myanmar.