The parallel National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic armed organisations across Myanmar were among those sending messages of felicitation to mark the 14th anniversary of the founding of the Arakan Army (AA) on Monday.

The message sent by the NUG stated that the NUG is happy that the Arakanese people have continued to fight for self-determination for 14 years, and that the NUG lauds the Arakanese people who gave their time, money and lives during that struggle.

The NUG said the AA stands with those oppressed and supports revolutionary forces during the nationwide struggle against Myanmar’s dictatorship.

The Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS), a political party, and Medical Family Mandalay (MFM), a civil society group, also sent felicitations on Monday, with the latter saying its members would work together with AA until a new nation under a new system emerges.

AA allies including the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) also sent messages on the 14th anniversary of the AA’s founding.

On April 10, 2009, 26 young people took a solemn oath to form the AA in Laiza, Kachin State, close to the Chinese border in northern Myanmar, where the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) ethnic armed group is headquartered.

The Myanmar military and Arakan Army reached their latest ceasefire on November 26 of last year, following some four months of renewed hostilities.

Since its founding, and in particular over the past few years, the AA and its political wing, the United League of Arakan, have grown in size and influence across Arakan State. The AA has also commanded growing attention and respect among other ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, a cohort of which the AA is one of the youngest members.