Statement of the United Wa State Party (UWSP), Government of the Wa Self-Administered Division, and United Wa State Army (UWSA) Regarding the Application Filed by the Republic of The Gambia Before the International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The Wa Self-Administered Division extends its support for the position taken by the Government of Myanmar regarding the application filed by the Republic of The Gambia against the Republic of the Union of Myanmar before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). We take pride in the action taken by the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in her capacity as the Union Minister of Foreign Affairs, in leading the delegation to The Hague, the Netherlands, to defend against these allegations and safeguard the dignity of the Union.

The situation in the Rakhine State of Myanmar is complex and the historical roots to these problems date back 200-years. Any biased action or improper international intervention can lead to further instability and confusion in the Rakhine State as the situation touches on issues such land, religion, race, culture, politics, economy and security.

The Wa Self-Administered Division objects to any unjust attempt to solve Myanmar’s internal conflict. We are hopeful that the situation in the Rakhine State is resolved by the two concerned countries through the good offices of the third-party mediating country, based on the principles of international law and international relations set forth in the United Nations Charter as well as the principles of peaceful resolution of conflicts.

It is also desirable for the concerned parties within the Union to resolve these conflicts through patience, wisdom and magnanimity. The Wa Self-Administered Division believes that if the concerned parties genuinely desire peace and work together towards that end, the existing conflicts would be resolved amicably.