Myanmar struggles with its Rakhine conundrum

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, right, shakes hands with her appointed chairman of the Advisory Board on Rakhine State, Thai former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai at a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw in January. (AP file photo)

In the face of relentless international criticism, Myanmar is struggling to develop a new strategy to cope with the problems of Rakhine, and the need for a reconciliation process. This week the government has been discussing their new approach with the UN secretary-general's newly appointed special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener -- a Swiss career diplomat, who also recently served as ambassador to Thailand.

The recommendations of the Kofi Annan Advisory Commission on Rakhine state, which were made public last August, after a year of investigation and research, have formed the basis of both the Myanmar government's approach and the demands of the international community. There are 88 recommendations in all. Shortly afterwards the UN Security Council unanimously adopted them as providing a necessary roadmap to solve the problems of Rakhine.

Larry Jagan is a Myanmar specialist and former BBC World Service news editor for the region.

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