An independent commission established by President Thein Sein following the initial outbreak of sectarian violence in Rakhine state in 2012 carried out field interviews and issued its analysis and recommendations to the president in July 2013 (Republic of the Union of Myanmar 2013). The commission identified several causes as leading to the outbreak of violence, which included rising extremism on both sides of the conflict divide, political polarization, lack of economic opportunity and development, and corruption. Its report highlighted the breakdown in communication between the two sides and called for measures to promote reconciliation and coexistence, including interfaith dialogue, civic education, implementation of the rule of law, and economic development.