Academicians, crisis management specialists and former military officials clearly warned that Rohingya repatriation issue between Bangladesh and Myanmar will face serious difficulties after the latest military coup in Myanmar.
They opined that considering the present political turmoil in Myanmar, Rohingya repartition will never be any important agenda for the military government.
However, some of the foreign policy researchers still hopeful of future fruitful dialogue between the two neighbors as China is mediating the talks to resolve the Rohingya crisis, which has become an ultimate burden for Bangladesh.
Professor Dr Akmal Hossain, one of the senior professor of the International Relations of Dhaka University said, “After the latest military coup, Myanmar again became a complete autocratic state. Military rulers in every country are actually fascist government. The Myanmar autocratic regime does not treat its ethnic Rohingya community as human being at all. So they will never come forward to take back the vulnerable Rohingya community to their homes so easily.”
The veteran academician also opined that the Myanmar military ruler first needs to address its various domestic problems on priority basis. Declaring martial law in the country does not mean that everything was completed in favour of the military. The military government needs to work with the influential countries also, which have already given strong reactions against the military coup in the isolated country. The military leaders must bring all organs of the state under their absolute control and it will not be easy. This is why the existing Rohingya issues will be more difficult to solve the problem through negotiation.”
Professor Shahab Enam Khan, former chairman of International Relations of Jhahangirnagar University, said, “Till today the Rohingya repatriation issue is same as it was before. There was nothing to be hopeful earlier and still there is no hope to get the crisis solved over Rohingya crisis.”
The internationally renowned crisis management specialist further said, “We all know that the negotiation process with Bangladesh authority was totally controlled by the Myanmar military forces, not by Aung San Suu Kyi.”
Professor Shahab Enam Khan said, “Moreover, Aung San Suu Kyi was also not in favour of Rohingya repatriation to Myanmar. So the Rohingya crisis will remain same after the military take over.”
Sheikh Shams Morsalin, an associate professor of the International Relations of Dhaka University said, “After the latest military coup in Myanmar, the negotiation process between Bangladesh and Myanmar might face some more complexities. Rohingya issue will not be a top priority for them.”
There are some issues of mutual confidence and trust for the two countries. Thus the Rohingya issues will face some more complexities especially regarding their immediate repatriation, he further said.
Responding to another question, Sheikh Shams Morsalin said, “Rohingya communities will also not be so interested to return to Myanmar under the military rule. Bangladesh always wants that Rohingya people should return to their homeland safely.”
Leading security expert Air Commodore (rtd) Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury also said, “The Rohingya repartition issue will face some handedness after the Myanmar military had taken the power.”
The military leaders might give some negative review on resolving the disputes.
He however said, “As China was meditating the negotiation process between Bangladesh and Myanmar, we should not be extremely worried.”
