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The Straits Times
Indochina Bureau Chief
Army soldiers clear the traffic as an armoured personnel vehicle moves on a road in Yangon, Myanmar, on Jan 28, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS
Military supporters holding Myanmar national flags marching during a protest against Union Election Commission, near Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, on Jan 29, 2021. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Police stand guard along a road in Naypyidaw on Jan 29, 2021, ahead of the reopening of the Parliament on Feb 1. PHOTO: AFP
UpdatedFeb 1, 2021, 12:21 pm
PublishedJan 29, 2021, 9:47 pm SGT
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What’s new? Following vote cancellations in conflict-affected areas of Rakhine state during the 8 November general election, Japan has helped broker an informal ceasefire between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army in order to hold supplementary elections. Both sides say they are in favour, but the civilian government is reluctant.
Why does it matter? The initiative has halted almost two years of intense fighting and enabled dialogue to resume for the first time since December 2019. Negotiations over elections could be a stepping stone to a formal ceasefire, but the process remains fragile, particularly without civilian government buy-in.
What should be done? The Arakan Army should release three National League for Democracy candidates it has detained. The civilian government should support elections and – if the Arakan Army lets the captives go – drop its designation as a terrorist organisation. The Tatmadaw should stop insisting that the Arakan Army leave Rakh