It was founded in 1962 after a faction under the leadership of Arakanese political leaders Kyaw Zan Rhee and Bo Maung Han broke away from the Red Flag Communist Party (RFCP).
In 1962, regional leaders of the RFCP in Arakan, discontent with the leadership of the central committee, decided to split from the party.
The negotiations ultimately failed due to the reluctance of the new socialist government to give concessions, and in November 1963 the CPA resumed its insurgent activities against the military.
Many of the CPA's fighters were killed or captured after the Tatmadaw (armed forces) launched a military offensive against them in response to the fighting in Minbya.
[1] A faction of the CPA splintered off in 1994 and merged with three other insurgent groups to form the National United Party of Arakan (NUPA).