Arakan News Agency
Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s advisory commission is in Arakan State to check on updates after their interim report was prepared.
It will also listen to suggestions from anyone regarding the conflict in the region to add to their final report, according to a press conference yesterday by the commission, which met in Sittwe.
The Arakan Advisory commission, chaired by Kofi Annan, will take three more months to submit its final report, which will include information on the general development of Arakan State.
U Aye Lwin, a local member of the commission, said the final report is likely to be finished by the end of August.
“We are neither the judge nor jury in this matter and we will also not mediate between the two communities,” he said.
He also said that the commission will report on the possible root causes of the conflict.
“In order to ensure that there is regional development, the two communities need to coexist peacefully. And we will give our recommendations about negative factors that are affecting peaceful coexistence,” said U Aye Lwin.
The commission arrived in Sittwe and held meetings with members of the state government.
Then the commission also intends to meet with the administrative heads from the two communities according to another commissioner U Win Mya.
He added that they are open about meeting with any organizations that could help resolve the conflict.
However, the local Arakan National Party (ANP) has clearly stated that they will not recognize any recommendations made by the Arakan Advisory commission in keeping with their peoples wishes.
U Aung Than Wai, secretary of the ANP, said, “The Arakan State Hluttaw, which represents the intention of the people has already decided that it will acknowledge neither the existence of the commission nor its action. We have had a public protest, making our stand clear about the commission.”
Source : Myanmar Times
