House of Representatives MP Pe Than from Myebon constituency, Rakhine State said he would like to negotiate between government and Arakan Army (AA) if the former wished.

“We are ready to do mediation if the government says mediation is needed to be done by a neutral party especially MPs. I mean we are ready to intervene between them and I am ready to render my help,” MP Pe Than said.

He added he would like to do mediation work to restore peace in Rakhine State.

“Designating AA as terrorist organization and saying they (the government) would not let AA set foot in Rakhine State is quite contrary to on the ground realities. There will never be peace if the government designates AA as a terror outfit,” MP Pe Than said.

Renewed fighting between AA and Tatmadaw (military) broke out again at end of 2018 and now the fighting is spreading in Rakhine State and Paletwa in neighbouring Chin State.

MP Pe Than added that he wished for negotiations between government and AA in the framework of peace process or at least they should sign a bilateral agreement for ceasefire and peace.

“AA also said that they wanted peace but they are also speaking about confederation status and full independence. In fact, they need to enter dialogue. And then they can reach common ground at a certain stage in this dialogue,” he added.

The number of refugee camps opened in Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Pauktaw, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Minbya townships etc. has reached 65 and the number of IDPs taking refuge at these camps has reached about 50,000 so far.

Currently AA has not yet signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the  government and it is a member organization of northern alliance in which UWSA and KIA are also the members.

House of Representatives MP Pe Than from Myebon constituency.