Unresolved Rohingya Crisis Threatens Regional Stability

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday urged the international community to intensify efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis, warning that failure to do so will jeopardize not only Bangladesh but the entire region.

Speaking as chief guest at a seminar titled “Repatriation of Rohingyas in Bangladesh: Strategic Implications on Regional Security and Ways Ahead,” jointly hosted by the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) and the Armed Forces Division, Hossain stressed that repatriation must be voluntary and under conditions that guarantee safety and rights.

“Rohingyas cannot be forced to return. They need to go back voluntarily, but only when their rights and security are assured,” he said. “With the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, such assurances remain out of reach.”

The adviser highlighted Myanmar's fragmented political landscape, citing multiple power centers—the military junta, the Arakan Army, and the National Unity Government (NUG). Notably, the Arakan Army now controls large parts of Rakhine State, where most Rohingyas originally lived.

"Let’s not be overly optimistic about bilateral negotiations leading to repatriation. We must keep talking, but it’s unlikely to deliver results alone," he cautioned.

More than 1.3 million Rohingyas have taken refuge in Bangladesh since 2017 following mass violence in Rakhine. Despite repeated efforts, no successful repatriation has taken place.

“We still haven’t found a viable solution. This has been a protracted and burdensome crisis,” Hossain noted. “It is unrealistic to expect one million people—half of them young—to remain indefinitely in camps without consequences.”

National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, speaking as guest of honour, clarified that discussions around a proposed humanitarian corridor to Rakhine remain preliminary. “No decision has been taken, and any such move would need to be UN-led and involve all stakeholders,” he said.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam also stated that no final decision has been made regarding a corridor via Cox’s Bazar and reiterated that political consensus is essential.

Professor Shahab Enam Khan, delivering the keynote address, warned that the Rohingya crisis has evolved from a humanitarian issue into a pressing national security threat. He pointed to the growing presence of transnational criminal networks within camps and the risks associated with prolonged displacement.

“The issue is now deeply entangled with our security architecture,” he said. “Without a durable and just resolution, the consequences will ripple far beyond Bangladesh.”

Hossain concluded by urging sustained international engagement: “I call on all of you to remain committed and work towards a lasting solution.”