These factors are the major reasons behind the rise of intercommunal, interethnic and interreligious conflicts, as well as the worsening of Rohingyas' living conditions and socio-political rights in the state. The government, instead of fostering reconciliation, is supporting Rakhine Buddhist fundamentalists in order to safeguard its interests in the resource-rich state. This has created more animosities between the two ethnic groups. In this particular context, the Rohingyas are perceived by the Rakhine people as additional competitors for resources and a threat to their own identity, which is the main cause of tension in the state and has led to numerous armed conflicts between the two groups.įurthermore, the Rakhines feel politically betrayed, as the Rohingyas do not vote for their parties. The Rakhine community as a whole feels culturally discriminated, economically exploited, and politically sidelined by the central government, which is dominated by ethnic Burmese. The Rakhine, who are Buddhists, are in the majority. They have a population of around one million people, but they are not the largest group in this state. Wolf: The Rohingyas are a predominantly Muslim community located in Myanmar's eastern Rakhine state. DW: Could there be a domestic solution to the Rohingya conflict in Myanmar? What are the impediments to achieving it?