A Rohingya Supporter of the Arakan Army Speaks Out
Is he a pragmatist or a collaborator?
If you follow Rohingya issues, you’ve likely seen the widespread condemnations of the Arakan Army by Rohingya individuals and organisations. Today, however, I present a different perspective - one from an influential Rohingya individual who holds a contrasting view of the Arakan Army.
His name is Molobi Mosud Ahmed. In a speech delivered last week in Maungdaw, he made his position loud and clear. The speech reinforces Mosud’s role as a key Rohingya intermediary for the Arakan Army. He not only defends his cooperation with them but frames it as essential for the survival of the Rohingya in northern Rakhine.
Mosud’s speech is also a scathing condemnation of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO). He portrays them as opportunistic and self-serving traitors. He explicitly accuses them of working with the Myanmar military, accepting weapons from them, and in reference to a critical battle, handing over 150 Rohingya boys to NaKhaKha-5. If you recall this was a particularly humiliating and significant defeat for the Myanmar army after many days of fighting with the Arakan Army.
Mosud’s speech is a clear attempt to position himself as a Rohingya aligned with the Arakan Army while discrediting ARSA and RSO as destructive forces. He presents himself and his allies as protectors of the Rohingya. He insists that he is working to support the remaining population in Maungdaw and Buthidaung. He describes the accusations of being Arakan Army spies as an old tactic revived by ARSA and RSO to delegitimise those cooperating with the AA. In fact, he turns the "spy" accusation back on them. The term "Thabbey" has historically been used by ARSA and others to justify targeting individuals. By flipping the accusation, Mosud attempts to expose ARSA and RSO’s contradictions and undermine their credibility.
His critics, however, allege that Mosud was once involved in yaba smuggling on behalf of the Myanmar military before switching allegiance to the Arakan Army. According to these claims, he not only controlled drug trafficking routes but also played a role in human smuggling operations, overseeing key maritime and land routes. They further argue that the Arakan Army now uses his influence as a religious leader to amplify their messaging and secure support from the local Rohingya population.
Here is the translation of his speech (from above video):
ARSA has killed people by accusing them of communicating with the military, visiting camps (military, Nasaka, and other government offices), and spying. Thabbey, wasn’t it? In 2016 and 2017, ARSA brutally killed people, claiming they had connections with the same military that oppressed our mothers and sisters. And now, in 2024, after aligning with that very military, have they not destroyed Arakan? Oh, brothers, is this not betrayal - are they not trading our lives?
Whether you are ARSA, RSO, or anyone else, you have been killing us since 2016/2017 by accusing us of being spies or Thabbey. You have murdered, abused, and now, in 2024, what have you done? You have sided with the Burmese military, taken weapons from them, and handed over 150 Rohingya boys to NaKhaKha-5. Is it not you who are the real spies - the real Thabbey? Oh, ARSA and RSO brothers, are you not the Thabbey? In 2024, you staged your deception and brought destruction upon us.
Now, only a few of us remain here. If we step forward to help those in need, work for the betterment of our community, assist someone in trouble, or feed the starving, you accuse us of being spies for Mogh Baghi (Arakan Army) and shoot us. Why have you revived this old tactic? Why have you started this again?
Hey cowards, thugs, and goons - one from Shodo Gozubill and another called Abdul Khair, whose face resembles an ox. You keep insulting us, but do you even know yourselves? We are helping our community while living alongside the Rakhine and the Arakan Army like brothers. Yet, you attack us on social media and try to harm the remaining small number of people - just 10 to 20 thousand. Why are you doing this?
Today, I am making it clear - if you want land, take it; if you want money, take it. But do not interfere with the remaining Rohingya in Maungdaw and Buthidaung. We are their leaders. These leaders provide for them - if they are hungry, we give them rice; if they need clothes, we provide them. Whatever they need, we ensure they receive it. We are the leaders of the remaining Rohingya, so those on the outside should stop speaking nonsense about them.
Further reading:
Interesting...were you able to speak with him first hand? How did you learn about this development?