U Ba Shein-led RNP splits into two factions

By Admin 07 Apr 2026

DMG Newsroom

7 April 2026, Kyaukphyu

The Rakhine Nationalities Party (RNP) led by U Ba Shein, which competed in the junta-sponsored election, has reportedly split into two factions due to ideological differences among its top leaders.

The split occurred as RNP Chairman U Ba Shein failed to provide transparency regarding the use of party funds and made unilateral decisions without consulting other party members.

A person close to the RNP said, “The main issues leading to the disagreement at the meeting were that he made decisions only with those close to him without informing all central committee members, failed to disclose funds spent during the election period, and included individuals who are not Arakanese people into the RNP.”

A party plenary meeting was held from March 22 to 23 to reorganize the RNP, which is composed of 15 Central Executive Committee members, and to redistribute duties.

During that meeting, eight central committee members agreed to support a proposal to suspend Chairman U Ba Shein and Vice Chairman U Tin Nyo from their positions and appoint them as patrons instead.

Furthermore, it was decided to dissolve the previous executive committee, form a new one, and hold a general party conference within the next three months.

However, U Ba Shein did not accept the meeting’s decision. On April 4, he reorganized a leading committee by gathering party members close to him, which resulted in the party splitting into two factions.

Another person close to the RNP said, “U Ba Shein acted like a dictator by calling those close to him and rejecting the meeting’s decision. U Ba Shein is acting out of ego, insisting that everyone must do as he says.”

DMG contacted party leader U Ba Shein regarding the split within the RNP, but he has not yet responded.

In the committee organized by U Ba Shein, he serves as the Chairman, with U Tin Nyo as Vice Chairman 1, U Aung Thein Htay as Vice Chairman 2, U Soe Naing Tun as Secretary, and Daw Kyaw Su Win as Joint Secretary.

On the other hand, the former Central Executive Committee has reportedly sent a notification to the Union Election Commission (UEC) regarding U Ba Shein’s reorganization of the committee in defiance of the previous meeting’s decision.

A local young man in Arakan State said, “For the Arakanese people who have distrusted party politics from the start, it is not surprising no matter which party splits. One thing is certain that it proves those who betray even their own party members and their promises to serve the interests of the Arakanese people are just empty words.”

U Ba Shein, a lawyer, previously won two terms as a Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Kyaukphyu Township under the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party in the 2010 general elections and the Arakan National Party in the 2015 general elections, and was a top leader of the ANP.

The RNP, which he led and formed, participated in the junta-organized election and won four seats in the State Hluttaw and two seats in the Union Parliament.