Muslim Activist U Hla Aung Threatens That Rakhine Will Never Gain Independence Without Aligning With Muslims

News January 30, 2026

The protest of Muslim people in front of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) (photocrd: ONN)

On January 28, during a protest in front of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, led by Muslim activists supporting The Gambia, a Muslim activist identified as U Hla Aung made threatening remarks, stating that the Rakhine people would never achieve independence unless they aligned themselves with Muslims.

According to reports, U Hla Aung said that Muslims wished to live together with the Rakhine people and that if peace and stability were to be achieved in Arakan State, the Rakhine must cooperate with Muslims. He repeatedly warned that if the Rakhine refused to work together with Muslims, they would never attain independence.

He further stated, “You should think carefully while we are making peaceful demands. Otherwise, we Muslims also know how to take up arms. We Muslims also have weapons and ammunition. A Muslim army of 50,000 troops is not far off,” issuing what was described as a threat directed at the Arakan Army (AA) Commander-in-Chief, Major General Tun Myat Naing, and the Rakhine people.

U Hla Aung also claimed that it was Muslims who had installed Rakhine King Min Saw Mon on the throne and urged AA Commander-in-Chief Major General Tun Myat Naing to study history.

At present, Myanmar and The Gambia are in the final stage of submitting arguments at the International Court of Justice in The Hague in a case brought by The Gambia accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against Muslims.

During the same protest, U Hla Aung further claimed that in the 14th century, specifically in 1429, it was Muslims who placed King Min Saw Mon on the throne. He also alleged that the structure located in the center of Sittwe is not a Buddhist monastery but a mosque, that there are no monasteries in the old capital of Mrauk-U but only mosques, and that the Kaladan River in Arakan is named after Muslims. These statements were reported as insulting the history and religion of the Rakhine people.

In addition, he accused the Arakan Army (AA) of being involved in genocide against Muslims and claimed that abuses against Muslims are still ongoing, making these allegations through ideological rhetoric.

Source@onenationnews