Dhaka, May 16- The interim government’s decision to establish a humanitarian corridor into Rakhine has been made under undisclosed conditions, lacking transparency and
public accountability, says the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies in its Security Insight.
The corridor lacks legitimacy under international law, as it is going to be initiated
without consent from Myanmar’s government, raising serious legal and diplomatic
concerns.
The Arakan Army (AA), which is not recognized as a sovereign actor, is an
unreliable partner due to historical ties with Chinese-backed militias like the
United Wa State Army.
Recent unauthorized Arakan Army incursions into Bangladesh, including cultural
engagements, heighten the risk of cross-border instability and challenge national
sovereignty.
The absence of military quarantine along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border defies
standard border protection protocols amid active conflict, leaving the region
vulnerable.
Without parliamentary oversight and expert consultation, the corridor agreement
sets a dangerous precedent of bypassing democratic mechanisms in foreign and
security policy decisions.
No official demarcation or operational blueprint for the corridor has been released,
and the identity of its regulatory and security authority remains undefined.
A poorly managed corridor may become a conduit for narcotics and arms
smuggling, amplifying security threats from existing trafficking routes through
Myanmar.
Establishing a corridor outside established international frameworks may set a
precedent for future interventions in Bangladesh under similar justifications.
Rakhine’s geopolitical complexity—featuring Chinese, Indian, and Russian
infrastructure interests—means any unilateral move may provoke adverse
responses from these stakeholders.
END
