ADVISORY COMMISSION ON RAKHINE STATE ○ Although violence did not spread to other parts of Rakhine, intercommunal relations suffered a major setback across the state. Increased political polarization and a shrinking of the political space may complicate efforts to find political solutions to which all communities can subscribe. It may also be harder to achieve the necessary buy-in from all stakeholders for the Commission’s recommendations. ○ Some stakeholders rejected the Commission from the very beginning, and in early September 2016, a motion in the national parliament sought to abolish the Commission. Although the motion eventually failed, it was supported by the Arakan National Party (ANP), the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and all military-appointed lawmakers. However, a similar motion in the Rakhine State Parliament in mid-September was successful, leading to an official boycott by some Rakhine stakeholders (including the parliament, ANP and parts of civil society). Although the Commission has managed to meet most of these actors anyhow, the sustained boycott has to some extent complicated the Commission’s efforts to get buy-in from all communities in the state. ○ Myanmar’s governance structure – which, in line with the 2008 Constitution, provides for a high degree of autonomy for the military part of the government – makes the search for and implementation of a coherent and harmonized policy to the complex problems of Rakhine State more challenging. During the course of its work, the Commission has consulted the Commanderin-Chief and other senior officers in the Tatmadaw, as well as those officers serving in ministerial line functions that concern Rakhine State. Obviously, the support of the armed forces is vital for the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations. All arms of the governmental structure will need to work closely together in a coordinated and cohesive manner to implement the Commission’s recommendations. ○ In November 2016, the Myanmar Government established an investigation commission to look into the violent attacks in Maungdaw, headed by Vice President U Myint Swe. Although the mandates of the two commissions are different, they nevertheless have some over-lapping aspects, which gave rise to some public confusion over the mandates of the respective commissions. ○ In March 2017, a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights 16 Towards a Peaceful, Fair and Prosperous Future for the People of Rakhine