Myanmar’s outgoing government on Tuesday lifted a state of emergency in conflict-hit Rakhine, a parting gesture that coincides with turbulent relations between Aung San Suu Kyi’s new administration an
Myanmar’s outgoing government on Tuesday lifted a state of emergency in conflict-hit Rakhine, a parting gesture that coincides with turbulent relations between Aung San Suu Kyi’s new administration and the western state’s powerful Buddhist political party.
Rahkine is deeply scarred by communal violence between Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims that began in 2012, presenting one of the most acute challenges for Myanmar’s first popularly elected government in decades.
In a surprise move on Tuesday, outgoing President Thein Sein announced the removal of the emergency order, which had been in place since unrest left scores dead and tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims confined to miserable displacement camps.
“According to the Rakhine state government, there is currently no threat of danger to people’s lives,” said a statement in state media announcing the order.
While Rakhine has not seen a serious outbreak of violence in more than two years, the state remains fractured on religious lines.
