Federalism is impossible without equal political rights

CNI News

31 May 2025

If the country is to return to federalism, political equality must be restored. 

Without political equality, there can be no federalism, Colonel Khun Okkar, chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Front (PNLO-NCA/S), which signed the NCA, told CNI News. 

The EAOs that have achieved confederation status beyond the federal system in Myanmar are the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA).

The political status that  these ethnic armed groups have now achieved is not in accordance with the law, but rather a level of convenience and understanding, and therefore, when it becomes legal, they will have to negotiate to achieve the same status as other ethnic armed groups, Colonel Khun Okkar told CNI News.

“It is a turbulent time right now, some EAOs have had a lot of opportunities, some have had nothing, and there are still struggles. All of that needs to be rebalanced. When it becomes legal, it needs to be rebalanced. The current opportunities that some EAOs have achieved cannot be said to be legal yet. They have achieved these rights with understanding , which is not permanent. If the country is to go along with federal law, if it is to be readjusted, then political equality must be given. Therefore, federalism is not possible without equal political rights." he said.

There have been an agreement between the government/the Tatmadaw and NCA signatories to build a union based on democracy and federalism. 

Political parties accept it as well. 

While seeing ethnic armed groups after their conference

However, due to the changing political landscape in Myanmar after February 1, 2021, some ethnic armed groups have expressed their positions beyond the federal system and called for the establishment of a confederation or a new independent state.

The Union government needs to be strengthened, and if it is going to give a federal level instead of a confederation, it needs to give all the EAOs equally, and the Union government also needs to negotiate issues that go beyond federalism, U Sai Htay Aung, chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), told CNI.

“The armed groups have been demanding a federal system since 1962, but when the 2008 constitution was drafted, some EAOs were given self-administration. Among those granted autonomy, the Wa went beyond autonomy and became a confederation. Now other ethnic armed groups are also following the example of the “Wa” and they want a confederation level. But the union government needs to be strong. If it only gives a federal level rather than confederation, it must give all the EAOs equal rights. The Union Government must negotiate on issues beyond the federal level, and only provide what is stipulated in the Constitution. If the government gives more than this, the ethnic groups will demand rights step by step," he said.

While seeing ethnic armed group leaders and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

The Arakan Army (AA) has said it will seek a political status no lower than that of the “Wa” or a confederation. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Vice Chairman Lt. Gen. Gun Maw had also stated that by 2025, ethnic groups would have considerations that go beyond federalism. 

Furthermore, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) Secretary-General Major General Tar Bone Kyaw said on August 18, 2022 that the Palaung people must be prepared to establish a country of their own if the situation arises.

In the peace talks, ethnic armed groups are only demanding ethnic issues and are weak in demanding regional issues. 

They should not be organizations that represent a group of people, but rather organizations that represent the region, said the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. 

Furthermore, the war must continue as ethnic armed groups strive to gain their own territories, he said.