(August 16-31, 2016)
Pakistan
Altaf Explodes, MQM Implodes
An unprecedented military-led clampdown that followed a controversial speech on August 22, 2016 by the London based MQM supremo Altaf Husain wherein he called Pakistan a cancer for the world and shouted slogans of ‘Pakistan Murdabad’, has seen a virtually meltdown in the party organisation in Pakistan with the party leadership in Karachi first distancing and then disassociating itself from the London secretariat. Altaf’s speech came after a seven day hunger strike by MQM to highlight the extra-judicial killings, disappearances and arrests of party workers ever since the Rangers-led military operation in Karachi. In the course of his speech, Altaf incited his party workers to act against TV channels which had not given adequate coverage to the hunger strike. This led to party workers storming offices of some news channels. The content of his speech and the action against the media gave the military the fig leaf it needed to deliver the coup de grace against MQM’s London based leadership.
The army sealed MQM’s headquarters in Karachi, demolished nearly a score of its offices which were allegedly illegal, shut down most of its other offices, arrested its workers, forced some leaders to join the military midwifed Pakistan Sarzameen Party and pressured the other leaders to break ties with the London based leadership. Although the Karachi leadership led by Dr Farooq Sattar has declared that henceforth all decisions will be taken by MQM-Pakistan and not by MQM-London (which prima facie signals a severing of ties with Altaf Husain) and has even gone ahead and removed Altaf’s name from the constitution of the party and its letter-head, sceptics remain unconvinced if this is not a smoke-screen to bide time and wait for pressure to lift. Given the cult status of Altaf among MQM supporters, snapping links with him is easier said than done.
For now, however, the situation in MQM remains in a flux. The London secretariat, after initially giving MQM-P the go ahead to take its own decisions, has now asserted that the old organisational and decision making structure remains more or less in place. But in face of the repressive political climate in Karachi, it will be difficult for the Pakistan based leadership to do the bidding or take orders from London. Conversely, there are also doubts on whether the MQM-Pakistan will be able to dominate Mohajir politics in Urban Sindh – namely, Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Sukkur, where there is a large Mohajir presence – if it severs links with Altaf Husain. If MQM-P can retain Mohajir votes, it will for all practical purposes mean the end of the Altaf phenomenon; but if MQM-P fails to win the support of the Mohajirs, and Altaf loyalists are unable to re-organise the party effectively (in large part because of state repression), then it will deal a virtual death blow to Mohajir politics in urban Sindh.
Relations with India Continue to Slide over Kashmir, Baluchistan
In a palpably disingenuous move, the Pakistan Foreign Secretary invited his Indian counterpart to come to Islamabad and hold talks on the Kashmir issue. The response from the Indian side was unequivocal. The Indian Foreign Secretary accepted the invitation but made it clear that the only issue he was willing to discuss with his Pakistani counterpart was terrorism. The response from the Pakistani side was to send another letter with the same proposal and received the same answer the second time as well, only in much harsher language from the Indian side which charged Pakistan with being the principal perpetrator of terror in the region.
Even as the letters were being exchanged, Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the Pakistanis bristling by making reference to Baluchistan and PoK in his Independence Day address to the nation. Pakistan reacted predictably and claimed that this was evidence of Indian interference in Baluchistan. Going into an overdrive, the Pakistani establishment got provincial assemblies to pass resolutions against the Indian PM and also agitated the street in Baluchistan and Gilgit-Baltistan to make a clumsy show of outrage against Mr Modi’s remarks.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has continued with its diplomatic campaign to drum up support on the Kashmir issue. But apart from a statement by the OIC Secretary General demanding a referendum in Kashmir – quite rich coming from OIC where most of member states don’t even hold a local government election, forget about a national level election – there has been very little that Pakistan has to show for its efforts to agitate the Kashmir issue at the international level. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has also announced that 22 Pakistani MPs will visit various countries and try to ‘shake the conscience of the world’ on Kashmir. But within Pakistan, the MPs visit is being seen as a junket for politicians, many of whom haven’t even uttered a word in the Pakistani parliament.
Operation Khyber – III
Pakistan Army has launched yet another operation in the troubled Khyber agency of FATA to clear what it calls the last remaining bastion of the Islamist fighters in a part of the remote Tirah Valley. Using fighter jets and artillery, the army moved into the area and has claimed to have taken control of it.
Afghanistan
American University in Kabul Attacked by Terrorists
Around 15 people, including seven students and one teacher, were killed and dozens were injured when terrorists stormed the American University campus in Kabul on August 25. The dastardly attack was traced back to Pakistan and the Afghans shared mobile numbers of people who were in contact with the terrorists during the course of the attack. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani spoke to the Pakistan Army chief and demanded serious action against the planners of the attack, believed to be the Haqqani Network. Not surprisingly, the Pakistanis made a show of a ‘combing operation’ to locate the suspects but had nothing to show for it. The Pakistanis claimed that they had found no ‘technical traces’ of contact between the attackers and their handlers inside Pakistan territory. But clearly, the attack on Afghanistan’s premier university and the failure of Pakistan to move against the conspirators would only widen the chasm of trust and confidence between the two countries.
See-saw Battles between ANSF and Taliban Terrorists
The Taliban continued to launch attacks in South, East and North Afghanistan and even managed to capture some districts but were forced to vacate after counter-attacks by the government forces. After the Taliban overran the crucial Khanabad district, it appeared for a while that the northern city of Kunduz was once again on the verge of falling to the Taliban. But the ANA, backed by US Special Forces and airpower, managed to wrest control of Khanabad after some fierce fighting. The Taliban also captured the district headquarters of Janikhel district in Eastern Afghanistan. Meanwhile in the South, reports claim that most of the Helmand province is now under the sway of the Taliban. Government forces are trying to recover lost territory and there is a seesaw of battles being fought.
China Opens Train Route to Afghanistan
As part of efforts to connect Afghanistan to the ambitious OBOR project, China has dispatched two trains to Northern Afghanistan via central Asia. The first train left the Chinese city of Nantong and would cross Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to reach the Afghan city of Hairatan after a 15 day journey. The second train carrying 100 containers was flagged from the Chinese city of Yiwu for Mazar-e-Sharief and would also take 15 days to complete its journey.
Pakistan Blocks Chaman Border for Two Weeks
All cross-border movement on the Chaman border between Afghanistan and Pakistan came to a grinding halt after Pakistan closed the border in retaliation against the burning of a Pakistani flag and stone-pelting by an Afghan mob protesting against Pakistan. It took some five flag meetings and a written condemnation of the incident by the Afghan authorities before Pakistan agreed to reopen the border crossing. The closure caused huge losses to businessmen and traders on both sides of the border. US supplies also got blocked on account of the border closure.
China &Taiwan
8th Japan-South Korea-China Foreign Minister’s Meet
The Eight Japan-South Korea –China Foreign Ministers meeting was held on 23-24 August 2016 in Japan. This year’s meeting was attended by Mr. Fumio Kishida (Japan), Mr. Wang Yi (China) and Mr. Yun Byung-se (South Korea). The foreign ministers met amidst growing tensions between these three countries over the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD). This was also the first time a Chinese Foreign Minister was visiting Japan after 2012 episode over the detention of seven Chinese nationals on 24 March 2012 on the islands and the Japanese move to purchase and nationalize three of the five islands on 11 September 2012, from Kunioko Kurihara who claims he is the private owner of the islands.
During the meeting the three Foreign Ministers shared their views to cooperate in the field of environment, disaster management, youth exchange and economy. Additionally, the they reaffirmed the significance of exchanging opinions on Africa, counterterrorism, and Middle Eastern affairs among the experts. The leaders expressed concern over the launch of SLBM in the morning of the 24 August 2016 by North Korea. The North Korean Nuclear Programme has become a common challenge for all the three counties. The Ministers declared that they would make efforts to bring together the international community over the issue. They acknowledged to build relationship within the multi-layered forum of East Asia and agreed to continue efforts for further integration of the ASEAN community.
Recent Chinese Naval Exercises with the US, Australia and Russia
In an endevour to enhance and familiarise itself with other countries military capabilities, China has started a series of naval exercises with different countries. The third ‘Exercise Kowari 2016’ is being held with the US and Australia and the second set of exercises will be with Russia.
The Australian defence force is hosting the third Exercise Kowari 2016, a trilateral survival training exchange from August 27 to September 9. Main participants are from the US Marines Corps and Army, the Australian Army and the People’s Liberation Army. The three countries sent thirty participants for the exercise wherein they are learning to work together to survive without any food, water or shelter. Essentially, it was field survival training for the soldiers of the three countries. From a Chinese perspective it can be seen as a steady development of the Chinese military’s ties with key Asia-Pacific counterparts to ensure stability to help ease maritime tension in the South China Sea. Apart from this China and Australia will also conduct their own exercise- “Panda Kangaroo 2016” from 14-23rd September 2016.
China and Russia have already held their third round of negotiations over the ‘Joint Sea 2016’ maritime exercise in Zhanjing City. Since 2005, China and Russia have held six joint naval drills. This week, Russia’s Pacific Fleet will dispatch a number of surface warships to the South China Sea to participate in the annual ‘Joint Sea 2016’, 11-19 September 2016.
Taiwan Holds Live Firing Drill
Taiwan held its five day live firing drill starting from 23 August 2016 around the country. The exercises are Taiwan’s most important annual war games involving all the three branches of military.
It was the first exercise under the Tsai Ing Wen administration. The drill was codenamed; ‘Han Kuang 32’ (Han Glory). The drills were held at the Joint Operations Training Base Command in Pingtung County, Kinmen, Penghu naval bases and offshore target zones around the nation’s coastal regions. For the first time tunnel exercise was included. Freeway No.5 connecting Taipei and Yilan was selected for the drills. This year’s drills for the first time saw the inclusion of information technology specialists in the military reserves in the case of possible cyber attacks. It included an expanded program on electronic warfare, with Taiwan’s cyber army defending against cyber attacks aimed at disabling the nation’s computer networks and telecommunication links. Additionally, a number of newly acquired weapon system were used in the exercises.
Nepal
Nepal PM Expands Cabinet
PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal expanded his cabinet inducting 13 new ministers, taking its total strength to 31. The President administered oath of office and secrecy to the newly-inducted ministers on August 26. All the newly appointed ministers belong to the Nepali Congress. The new ministers include Balkrishna Khand as Minister for Defence and Prakash Sharan Mahat as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Earlier, the Nepali Congress had inducted Bimalendra Nidhi as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs and Ramesh Lekhak as the Minister for Physical Infrastructure.
Ruling, Agitating Parties to Form New Task Force for Fresh Negotiations
A new task force comprising representatives of the governing Maoist Centre-Nepali Congress alliance and the agitating parties is expected to start fresh negotiations in a bid to settle the disputed issues of the constitution. The task force will, after negotiations, prepare a draft proposal for constitutional amendment. The government is planning to register a constitution amendment proposal in Parliament by mid-October to address the concerns raised by the Madhesi and Janjati parties.
52 Killed in Madhes Stir Declared Martyrs
Government, on August 18, fulfilled a major demand of the agitating Madhes-based parties by implementing second point of the three-point agreement reached with NC-CPN-Maoist Centre on August 3 paving way to bring agitating Madhesis on board to implement the constitution. A cabinet meeting on August 18, declared 52 people martyrs including 11 security personnel, killed during Tarai-Madhes agitation following promulgation of the new constitution, on September 20,2015. Families of each martyr will get Rs 1 million as relief. The Home Ministry has also begun the work of withdrawing cases filed against agitators. Some more names for declaring them martyrs are being verified.
American Held for Preaching Christianity
An American national was arrested from Baniyani in Jhapa on August 23 for preaching Christianity amongst locals to convert to Christianity.. The suspect has been identified as 70-year old Fomess Dolan who had entered Nepal without a visa via India. He was posing as a doctor in front of the locals. This was his second visit to Nepal.
External Relations
PM Dahal to Visit India Followed by Visits by Indian and Nepali Presidents
During his visit to New Delhi (Aug. 19-23) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi confirmed that PM Dahal will India on Sept 15-18. This will be his first foreign trip after becoming the prime minister on August 3. Nidhi further disclosed that the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee will visit Nepal only after Prime Minister Dahal’s visit to India, which will be followed by President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s visit to India.
Bimalendra Nidhi, four-day visit as a special envoy of Prime Minister Dahal was to prepare the ground for a series of upcoming bilateral visits in the coming months. Before leaving for New Delhi, Nidhi had told media persons that he would extend President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s invitation to her Indian counterpart, President Pranab Mukherjee, to pay state visit to Nepal, and finalise date and agenda of the upcoming visit of PM Dahal to India. He said that the objective of his visit was to strengthen bilateral relations and to give impetus to high-level exchanges between the two countries.
India Will Fully Support Nepal’s New Govt’s Priorities
DPM Nidhi called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on August 20, and discussed PM Dahal’s visit to India among other issues. PM Modi advised Nidhi to bring all the agitating forces on board by addressing their concerns through constitutional amendment. Modi reiterated that the remaining issues should be resolved to ensure effective implementation of the constitution and to ensure peace, stability and institutionalization of democracy in Nepal. Nidhi assured the Indian PM that implementation of the constitution by accommodating the aspirations of all people was Nepal Government’s top priority.
PM Modi assured that the Government of India would fully support the priorities of the new Government of Nepal and expressed hope that the new government would be able to steer the country towards greater peace, stability and institutionalisation of democracy. Nidhi handed over PM Dahal’s invitation to Modi to visit Nepal, and discussed the agenda of PM Dahal’s visit to India, which was agreed in principle to be held from September 15 to 18.
During his visit to India, DPM Nidhi also met the Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Amit Shah, President of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party.
DPM Krishna Bahadur Mahara Visits Beijing
Deputy Prime Minister and special emissary of Nepali PM, Krashna Bahadur Mahara visited Beijing on August 15-17. He called on Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, on August 17, and discussed mutual cooperation and strengthening bilateral ties. The Chinese leader told Mahara that China was willing to extend all possible cooperation to Nepal. Mahara assured that PM Dahal and his government attached great importance to Nepal-China relations and was ready to fully execute all bilateral deals and projects. The Chinese Prime Minister assured the visiting Deputy Prime Minister about China’s willingness to extend all possible cooperation to Nepal, saying that China and Nepal have always developed pragmatic relations.
Earlier, on August 16, Mahara met China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and handed over invitations to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang to visit Nepal. President Xi is expected to visit Nepal in mid-October. However, the Chinese side has not yet confirmed the Nepal visit of President Xi Jinping.
Bangladesh
Life-term Jail For Propaganda Against Mujib, Liberation War Proposed
The Cabinet, on August 22, endorsed in principle the draft Digital Security Bill-2016, proposing life-term jail and Tk. one crore in fine as maximum punishment for spreading propaganda against the country’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Liberation War through electronic media or any other digital devices. The information and communication ministry placed the draft in the weekly cabinet meeting with the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, in the Chair. The draft proposes setting up a Digital Security Agency to deal with cyber offences defined in the law. The proposed agency will have the authority to ask the enforcement agencies on emergency basis to stop transmission of anything through electronic devices in violation of the law.
Mir Quasem’s Death Penalty Upheld
The appellate Division of the Supreme Court, on August 30, dismissed the review petition and upheld the death penalty of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mir Quasem Ali for crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. Now, if he does not seek Presidential clemency or if the President does not pardon him for his crimes, Quasem will have to go to the gallows. The 62-year old Mir Quasem was the Chief of Chittagong unit of Al-Badr, an auxiliary force of Pakistani army, during the independence war (since hanged on failing to seek Presidential pardon)
Militants’ Activities
Tamim, Mastermind of Gulshan Cafe Attack Killed:
In a police raid on August 27, in a house in Narayanganj’s Paikpara, three suspected militants were killed. One of them was identified as Bangladeshi-Canadian Tamim, the suspected Gulshan attack mastermind, described as the Islamic State’s Bangladesh Chapter Chief by some international media. Police had announced a Tk. 2 million reward for information leading to Tamim. Meanwhile, the Police reacted sharply to the former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s comments on the Narayanganj raid when she said that the security forces would have got more information from the militants if they were caught alive. The police statement accused Khaleda of “inspiring the militants in a way and her calling police raids as staged drama was intentional, unfortunate and unwanted”.
Miscreants Stab Temple Caretaker:
Miscreants hacked the caretaker of a Hindu temple at Sadar Upzila in Narsingdi, on August 23. Three young men riding a motorcycle came to caretaker Chittyaranjan Aryan’s grocery shop near the temple and stabbed him. Chittayaranjan was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Meanwhile, while exchanging greetings with the members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Janamashmi, on August 22, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that there was a well-hatched conspiracy to unleash communal conflicts in the country. She urged all to remain united against terrorism and militancy.
Pro-JMB ‘Ansar Rajshahi’ Targets Hindus
A new militant outfit named ‘Ansar Rajshahi’ formed in Baghmara has prepared a list of local Hindus and secularists with plans to kill them. The police claim that the members communicate with each other through secured messaging application Threema and social Face Book. Since last year, the JMB members have killed at least seven Hindu priests across the country while threatened several dozen Hindus and Christians with death. The outfit also launched attacks on three Christians in the northern districts. Two of them were killed.
Hizb-ut-Tahrir Threatens Five With Death
The banned Islamic outfit Hizb-ut-Tahrir sent a letter by post to the district commissioner’s office, on August 23, threatening five prominent cultural and political personalities in Jessore. The letter reads: “Killing atheist and apostates is a way to heaven for Muslims. Your death sentence is final. Execution will be carried out any time and don’t dare to harass militant brothers.” Then the letter lists the names of prominent personalities being targeted.
IS Sent Agents to Bangladesh, Says Ex-Member of IS
In an interview with New York Times, Harry Sarfo who joined IS in 2014, disclosed that IS special cell had sent out hundreds of Jihadists worldwide. Harry Sarfo who escaped the terrorist group’s territory and is now in Jail in Germany further said that the group has trained recruits to carry out attacks in Bangladesh. ISIS has been trying to build a network in Bangladesh, giving preference to people who were previously in Al-Qaeda.
External Relations
Pakistan Summons Bangladesh Envoy
Bangladesh High Commissioner in Islamabad Tarik Ahsan was summoned at the foreign ministry on August 19 in connection with a statement of the Information Minister, Hasanul Haq Inu, on Baluchistan. The Pakistan government wanted to know the details of the minister’s statement and the Bangladesh government’s official position in this regard. After Indian PM Narendra Modi’s speech on Independence Day about Pakistan suppressing the people of Baluchistan, Bangladesh foreign minister Hasanul Haq Inu, during his visit to India, had told The Hindu, on August 19, that Bangladesh backed PM Modi’s stand on the issue. However, Bangladesh’s official position on Baluchistan issue, so far, is that it does not believe in the interference of the internal affairs of other countries, and the information minister’s view might be considered as personal.
John Kerry Visits Bangladesh
US Secretary of State John Kerry visited Bangladesh on August 29. Kerry. He paid respect to father of Nation Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujaibur Rahman at the Bangbandhu’s Memorial Museum in Dhaka. During his short visit, he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, opposition leader Mrs. Ershad, and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. While talking with the premier, Kerry expressed interest to support Bangladesh to fight terrorism with their specialists’ opinion and latest information. They discussed several other matters including bringing back the killer of Bangbandhu. Kerry discussed with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia ways to strengthen democracy in the country and prevent terrorism. Speaking before select group of audience at the EMK Centre, Kerry said that Gulshan Cafe attack was designed to divide Bangladesh and cut it off from the rest of the world. On being asked about the nature of terrorists in Bangladesh, Kerry said they were home grown as it is not foreign fighters coming to do it. It is somebody here in Bangladesh doing this, but they were influenced elsewhere by internet, social media and so forth, he said. Kerry left for New Delhi the same evening (August 29).
Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia to Strengthening Military Cooperation
Visiting Saudi Deputy Minister of Defence Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al-Aish met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 25. They discussed different aspects of cooperation in various sectors, including defence. Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the state of bilateral relations. Saudi Deputy Defence Minister wanted to further boost military cooperation with high-level visits of defence officials between the two countries. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described Saudi Arabia as a great friend of Bangladesh and said that the country had a special place in the hearts of Bangladesh’s people.
Sri Lanka
President Rejects Alleged Corruption Reported in Australian Media
The Sydney Morning Herald website carried a report President Maithripala Sirisena and his adviser had allegedly demanded a political "donation" from an Australian company, Snowy Mountains Engineering Company (SMEC) when Sirisena was the Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Services in 2009. President, while rejecting the report, instructed the Attorney General to take further action necessary in this regard. Some of the Joint Opposition (JO) MPs openly said that they did not believe that the President could be involved in such a scandal and demanded local investigation that could be carried out into this matter to clarify these accusations for the sake of country’s image.
No Decision to Remove Army Camps in North
Army Commander Lieutenant General Crishantha de Silva said that there was no decision to remove any Army camp in the North. He added that the Sri Lanka Army would take any measure to ensure National Security. He clarified that the Army is going to keep only the required area for the camp, and will release the rest of the land.
Looming Danger of Split in SLFP
Post ‘Pada Yatra’ protest rally, President Sirisena, who is also Chairman of Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP) took immediate disciplinary action by removing of 16 SLFP electoral organizers loyal to MR. They were replaced by individuals loyal to the President himself. Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) has criticized the action saying this could effectively cause a split in the SLFP. MR further said this move to replace nationally known figures with individuals who are either defeated candidates or loyal to Sirisena, is designed to weaken the SLFP and to give the UNP the upper hand in any election. Sirisena responded by saying anyone who attempts to split from the party should know that we would reveal their secrets and scams and make it impossible for them to survive in politics. The ongoing rivalry between the two has assumed greater significance in view of the upcoming 65th convention of the SLFP scheduled to be held in first week of September.
Maldives
Government Pushes to Hold Maldives Investment Forum in India
Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Asim met with his Indian counterpart Mrs. Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi on August 16, 2016. Both the ministers discussed Maldivian government’s plans of holding the 3rd Maldives Investment Forum in India at the end of 2016. The first such meet was held in 2014 in Singapore and the second in Beijing in 2015.
Rift within Gayoom Family
The ongoing cold war between President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and President of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the former President of the Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, become more apparent when the latter remarked that what Maldivians are seeing now is the downfall of his work to bring a modern democracy to the country. He said that some of the bills and amendments passed by the Parliament go against the Constitution ratified by him in 2008. He specifically targeted the recently passed Anti-Defamation Bill which, according to senior Gayoom, constricts the freedom of expression granted by Article 27 of the Constitution and the freedom of press granted by Article 28 and the amendment to the Law of Public Gathering constricts the freedom of public gathering granted to every citizen under Article 32 of the Constitution. Maumoon said “what we see today is against which the Progressive Party of Maldives was formed”.
BBC Reports of Impending Plot to Oust President Yameen
BBC carried a report on August 26 of an impending plot to remove Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom from power and speculated that this could come as soon as “within a couple of weeks”. The news agency said that International Spokesperson of President’s Office Ibrahim Hussain Shihab has confirmed to them that the Maldivian government was aware of such plans. He said that Maldivian United Opposition – a coalition of opposition parties in Maldives were making claims that they would legally overthrow.
President Yameen’s government soon. MUO-which is led by President Yameen’s former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has created a Shadow Cabinet and talked about establishing an interim government. Key political figures involved in MUO include former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, Chairperson of Maldivian Democratic Party Ali Waheed, as well as leaders from Adhaalath Party.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the dissident former president Mohamed Nasheed is believed to have met opposition groups in Sri Lanka on August 26 to hatch a plan to topple Abdulla Yameen. There was no immediate comment from the Maldivian government, but the administration has consistently maintained there is a plot to oust the president.
Myanmar
21st Century Panglong Conference Commences
The 21st Century Panglong conference began on 31 August at Nay Pyi Daw, with an emphasis on unity in building a federal union. The five day conference is being viewed as the first step toward national reconciliation and political dialogue. In addition to the stakeholders from the government, Parliament, the Myanmar military, 17 ethnic armed organizations, foreign diplomats and the United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon also attended the opening session. State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Ky has been the driver of the Second Panglong Conference and during her address she recounted her efforts at giving push to the peace process. UN Secretary Ban Ki-Moon also emphasized on the importance of Myanmar’s peace process.
However, Tatmadaw Chief, Gen Min Aung Hlaing did not mention federalism in his speech and remained firm on adherence to military’s ‘six-point principles’ in the peace process, which essentially meant that the military will continue to support the framework of 2008 drafted military dominated Constitution. Even while the conference is on there have been clashes between military and the rebels in Kachin and Shan States, where several large groups operate close to borders with China and Thailand.
It is likely that these would be preliminary talks only with delegates expecting to meet every six months to discuss issues ranging from security, political representation and nature of distribution of powers between the Central and State governments. It is unlikely that any substantive outcomes would result from the proceedings of this conference.
Ahead of the peace talks United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki- Moon suggested to the Myanmar government to improve living conditions for its Rohingya Muslim minority. In any case, Myanmar’s 1.1 million Rohingyas are not being represented at the conference as officially they are not considered Myanmarese. He also observed that if they had lived in the country for generations, all people in Myanmar should enjoy the same legal status and citizenship as everyone else. In third week of August, Aung San Suu Kyi appointed former UN Chief Kofi Annan to lead a commission to stop human rights abuses in Rakhine.
Aung San Suu Kyi visit to China
A National League Democracy (NLD) delegation led by Aung San Suu Kyi paid a five day (17-21 August 2016) visit to China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for party to party interaction. This was the first visit by Suu Kyi to China. China-Myanmar relation has stood firm for last 65 years. China’s role in Myanmar’s economic growth and security cannot be overlooked. President Xi Jinping said “China always treats the China-Myanmar relations from a strategic and long-term perspective”. Myanmar Times has called her visit to China as “historic”.
The two sides inked series of agreements covering economy, trade, people’s livelihood and infrastructure development. China’s promised to build two hospitals and a bridge at the China-Myanmar border during Suu Kyi’s visit. With reference, to the ethnic rebel group problem, she was able to get a letter by three ethnic rebel group (the Kokang group, the Arakan Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army) that have ties with China. In the letter they declared their intention to join the Panglong Conference that was convened on 31 August 2016. Despite their assurance they never attended the conference. Although the Myitsone Dam project is under suspension now but during this visit she has assured a speedy solution to the project. In fact just a week prior to her visit, NLD government established a new commission to evaluate the suspended project. Apart from these reasons, China needs Myanmar’s help in the OBOR initiative; it needs connectivity access through Myanmar. Further, the new initiative of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework will help boost the role of AIIB in the region. China is hopeful that her visit will pave a new path in the bilateral relations.
President Htin Kyaw Visits India
President U Htin Kyaw paid a four-day visit to India from August 27-30. In a joint statement the two sides pledged to strengthen security and defense cooperation along the border, and develop infrastructure and prosperity in border areas. President Kyaw’s visit to New Delhi can be interpreted as a balancing act between its two major neighbours. Myanmar and India signed four memorandums of understanding to promote bilateral cooperation in the areas of traditional medicine, renewable energy and infrastructural connectivity. The MOUs signed also included one on the construction or upgrading of bridges and road stretches along the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa and Kalewa-Yagyi sections of the Trilateral Highway connecting Moreh in Manipur, India to Mae Sot in Thailand, via Myanmar. Further, the two countries agreed to begin operating facilities connected to the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which now links Sittwe in Arakan State with Paletwa in Chin State, by December 2016.
Fighting the scourge of terrorism and insurgent activity in all its forms and manifestations and upholding the policy of not allowing any insurgent groups to use their soil for hostile activities against the other side also formed part of the Joint Statement issued after the meeting.
