The Arakan National Party (ANP) said it would cooperate with Myanmar’s coup leaders if it is allowed to take the helm of Arakan State’s affairs, as one of the country’s most formidable ethnic political parties seeks to further clarify its relationship with the military regime.

The ANP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) held a two-day closed-door meeting at its Sittwe headquarters from March 10-11, with the party deciding to continue its bid to govern Arakan State in the interests of Arakanese people, according to ANP policy leadership committee member U Pe Than.

“We want the authority to manage Arakan State. It was the resolution of the Mrauk-U CEC meeting to continue our efforts to obtain authority. So, we will try every means to make sure we get that authority,” said U Pe Than. “And the party’s CEC will make further decisions based on whether or not we obtain authority.”

Three days after the Tatmadaw staged a coup on February 1, the ANP called on the military governing body, the State Administration Council (SAC), to reserve the chairman position and two seats on the Arakan State Administration Council for the party, saying it was necessary to do so to bring about sustainable peace and development in Arakan.

A handful of ANP members have subsequently resigned from the party, citing the decision to cooperate with the SAC.  

At its CEC meeting in Mrauk-U last month, the ANP leadership agreed that the party would be able to engage directly with the Arakanese people only when it has authority in Arakan State.

“The ANP is cooperating with the military out of necessity, for the national interests of Arakan State. When cooperation is no longer necessary, or if nothing good comes of the cooperation, we intend to boldly and decisively part from them,” said U Pe Than.

Myanmar’s military regime on Thursday removed the Arakan Army (AA) from its list of terrorist organisations.  

“We assume the fact that AA was removed from the list of terrorist groups is a success for us. There were criticisms against us, both inside and outside the party, for cooperating with the military council,” U Pe Than said. “The meeting today [March 11] was intended to build unity within the party. As the results [of our cooperation] have been tangible, people will have understanding of us.”

In its statement on February 4, the ANP said it would work together with the Tatmadaw to achieve specific Arakanese objectives, including securing a rescission of the Arakan Army’s terrorist designation; continued implementation of proposals passed by the previous Arakan State Parliament; unconditional release of political prisoners including prominent politician Dr. Aye Maung and writer Wai Hun Aung; release of those who were charged and jailed under the Counter-Terrorism Law; and return and rehabilitation of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State.

The military regime released Dr. Aye Maung and Wai Hun Aung in the second week of February.