A/HRC/42/CRP.5 political leader Aye Maung on what were criticized as politically motivated charges for high treason, also fuelled the AA’s resentment against the Tatmadaw and the Union level government.597 266. The AA espouses a political agenda of Rakhine self-determination through a confederacy under which the Rakhine would have autonomy, except in matters of defence, trade regulation and foreign affairs.598 The AA refers to the historical Rakhine Kingdom, sometimes referred to as the “Kingdom of Arakan”, and to their colonization by the Bamar, as they promote “the way of the Rakhita”, an ideology focused on self-determination for the Rakhine.599 They also claim that Paletwa Township, in Chin State, belongs to the Kingdom of Arakan.600 The AA has stated that they are only in conflict with the Tatmadaw, that its operations are not aimed at the Rohingya,601 and has denied any connection to ARSA.602 267. The AA is a member of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), a bloc of seven ethnic armed groups that have not signed the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).603 The FPNCC has put forth alternative principles for negotiations that it expects the Government to consider before its member organizations sign the NCA. The demands include a proposal for a confederate system for Myanmar. 604 268. In December 2018, the unilateral four month ceasefire, declared by the Tatmadaw in all other States, and currently extended until 21 September 2019,605 excluded Rakhine State and therefore the AA. The Northern Alliance, which includes the AA, put out a statement when the ceasefire was announced calling for Rakhine State to be included. 606 Furthermore, some members of the FPNCC have indicated they would fight alongside the AA in Rakhine State if needed, despite their own areas of operation being covered by the ceasefire. 607 At the time of writing the Mission has not received information that other EAOs have provided fighters to support the AA in Rakhine State. However, the AA has admitted to joining other 597 598 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 84 Nyan Hlaing Lynn, “Rakhine political leader Dr Aye Maung arrested in Sittwe after Mrauk U violence” (Frontier Myanmar, 18 January 2018); International Crisis Group, A New Dimension of Violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State (January 2019), p.6; Amnesty International, No one Can Protect Us: War Crimes and Abuses in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, (May 2019), p.11. LI-187, LM-035, The Irrawaddy, “Confederation the only option for Arakanese people, AA chief says” (11 January 2019); Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint, “Arakan Army Chief Promises Myanmar Military, Govt Eye For an Eye” (The Irrawaddy, 17 January 2019); Kyaw Linn, “‘Way of Rakhita’: dream or nightmare?” (Asia Times, 28 February 2019). Kyaw Linn, “Way of Rakhita’: dream or nightmare?” (Asia Times, 28 February 2019), Amnesty International, No one Can Protect Us: War Crimes and Abuses in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, (May 2019), p.12. LI-160, LI-187, LM-043. LI-187, LM-028, LM-035, See also: The Irrawaddy, “AA leader dismisses ‘ridiculous’ claim that his group has ties to ARSA”, (11 April 2018). Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint, “AA Leader Dismisses ‘Ridiculous’ Claim that His Group Has Ties to ARSA” (The Irrawaddy, 11 April 2018), Radio Free Asia, “Interview: ‘The Government Army’s Persecution Is Making us Stronger’” (25 March 2019). LI-187, LM-035, The Irrawaddy, “Confederation the only option for Arakanese people, AA chief says” (11 January 2019). The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), Ceasefires and Conflict Dynamics in Myanmar, (May 2019), The Irrawaddy, “Confederation the only option for Arakanese people, AA chief says”, (11 January 2019). The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, "Statement on Ceasefire and Eternal Peace" (30 June 2019): http://cincds.gov.mm/node/3297; See also, Swe Lei Mon, “Tatmadaw extends ceasefire a second time, to August 31” (Myanmar Times, 02 July 2019); Ministry of Information, Tatmadaw extends ceasefire until 21 September 2019, https://www.moi.gov.mm/moi:eng/?q=news/1/09/2019/id-18930. The Northern Alliance, “Statement from the Northern Alliance (KIO/KIA, PSLF/TNLA, MNTJP/MNDAA, ULA/AA)” (27 December 2018): http://archive.is/vVuQv; See also: Lawi Weng, “Northern Alliance Demands Ceasefire Covers Rakhine State” (The Irrawaddy, 28 December 2018). MNTJP/MNDAA, PSLF/TNLA, ULA/AA, "Statement condemning the Myanmar military's acts of war crimes that target the local civilians in Mrauk-U, Rakhine" (19 March 2019), available at: http://archive.is/GekCp.