Rohingya Crisis at Nine Years: Myanmar's Exclusion Persists as Aid Dwindles

Nine years after the horrific 2017 crackdown, the Rohingya crisis is far from over. Rohingya communities in Myanmar Rakhine State continue to face systematic attacks, displacement, and killings from both the ruling military junta and the Arakan Army. Meanwhile, over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees languish in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh, where critical humanitarian aid is dwindling, leading to dangerously low food rations and a severe lack of basic services. The core issue remains Myanmar refusal to grant the Rohingya citizenship and basic rights, denying their very identity and making them stateless under the discriminatory 1982 Citizenship Law. Even 'sham elections' held in January 2026 barred them from voting, reinforcing their political exclusion. While Myanmar government recently offered partial repatriation for 'verified' refugees, advocates warn this is a deceptive tactic without guarantees for safety, dignity, or fundamental rights. The International Court of Justice recently concluded hearings in The Gambia's genocide case against Myanmar, with a judgment expected later this year, offering a glimmer of hope for accountability. As international attention wanes and aid budgets shrink, the future for Rohingya remains bleak. Dangerous sea journeys by desperate refugees are at a record high, and ASEAN attempts at diplomatic engagement with Myanmar junta have been largely rejected. For any true solution, global powers and regional bodies must move beyond symptom-treating humanitarian aid and push for a genuine political reckoning within Myanmar, ensuring the Rohingya right to citizenship, safety, and a dignified return to their homeland.