CNI News

28 March 2025

It was necessary to finish holding elections during January 2026, said chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). He said the above in the SAC meeting on 25 March 2025.

During the two year period when the SAC had taken the state responsibility, although it had planned to hold elections, that period was the time shortly after the Covid-19 and unstable elections could not be held, said the SAC Chairman.

Because the census-taking has been conducted in 2024, the SAC has planned that elections will be held in the third week and fourth week of December, 2025, and in the first week and second week of January, 2026, said the SAC Chairman.

According to the election law, elections must be held in one day if possible on a public holiday. So, there is no set date for holding the election. In Myanmar's history, even during the parliamentary democracy era, due to internal armed conflicts, elections could not be held just one time. So, the SAC must carry out in order to finish holding elections successfully, he said.

Regarding the sessions of Pyidaungsu and Amyotha Hluttaws, provisions related to meeting quorum has been imposed in the constitution; because Region and State Hluttaws must elect and appoint chief ministers, it is important; as Electronic Voting Machine will be used, voters can vote in a short time and voting results can be achieved in a short time, said the SAC Chairman.

In any case, it was necessary to finish holding elections successfully during January 2026;  political parties are also allowed to run the elections in accordance with the law, he said.

Although the SAC had announced that elections would be held in August 2023, saying it was not a normal situation  because armed conflicts were widespread across the country, the state of emergency repeatedly was extended until today.

And then, elections will be held in December 2025 or January 2026, said the SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at a joint press conference with the Belarusian President Lukashenko on 7 March 2025.

On the other hand, armed groups trying to overthrow the SAC and the Myanmar Tatmadaw have announced that they will surely destroy the election led by the SAC.

Currently, battles are severely taking place in Myanmar's Shan State, Kayin State, Chin State, Rakhine State, Mon State, Kayah State, Kachin State, Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Bago Region, Mandalay Region, and Tanintharyi Region.

CNI News

26 March 2025

Very big challenges regarding politics could arise beyond 2025, said the chairman of the State Administration Council Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. He said the above in the meeting of the SAC held on 25 March 2025.

" Very big political challenges can arise beyond 2025; the SAC must consider and carry out how to maintain and strengthen the multi-party democracy system; because geographically, Myanmar borders two powerful countries that have different natures, it is facing a geographic challenge; the SAC must know Myanmar has a lot of challenges politically and geographically." said the SAC Chairman.

Forum on Myanmar Beyond 2025: Challenges and Opportunities in the Multipolar World regarding future prospects facing Myanmar was held in Naypyidaw on 20 March 2025

While the meeting of the SAC was being held

Currently, severe battles are taking place in Myanmar's Shan State, Kayin State, Chin State, Rakhine State, Mon State, Kayah State, Kachin State, Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Bago Region, Mandalay Region, and Tanintharyi Region.

Due to these battles, there have been over three million IDPs and many thousand houses and buildings including educational facilities were burnt down or destroyed. Amidst these situations, the SAC has planned to hold elections in December 2025 and January 2026, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Armed groups trying to overthrow the SAC and the Myanmar Tatmadaw have announced that they will surely destroy the election led by the SAC.

Moreover, western and European countries don't support the election that the SAC will hold and have imposed sanctions on individuals and organizations related to the SAC.

While seeing those who attended the Forum on Myanmar Beyond 2025: Challenges and Opportunities in the Multipolar World

In the same way, some members of the ASEAN support the election that will be held by the SAC and others don't support it.

 Some of the ASEAN countries point out that the government that would come to power beyond 2025 if elections were held may face huge challenges. So, the election should be held only after reaching a consent that can solve the current armed conflicts and political conflicts, they said.

In the geopolitical landscape, changes in US foreign policy are also creating international economic and political repercussions. 

Moreover, because of a trade war between the US and China, the Russia-Ukraine War, conflicts between China and Taiwan, and rivalry between China and India, Myanmar may face huge challenges.

CNI News

27 March 2025

The Peace Talk 2025 was discussed from 24th to 26th March and everyone is interested in what were discussed in the talk.

On the first day of the Peace Talk 2025, matters relating to conflict reduction and emergence of a peace process were discussed by Group-1 and important role of economic development in attempt for the peace and development was discussed by Group-2, participants in the talk told CNI News.

After that, on the second day, the Group-1 discussed the political change and the impact of the peace process after 2021; international relations, regional and international cooperation and the Myanmar's peace sector.

In the same way, considering related sectors in attempt for the economic resilience during conflict reduction; constitutional amendment and shaping democracy and a federal union were discussed by the Group-2.

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) led and held the Peace Talk 2025 in Naypyidaw. The talk included six NCA signatories, 27 political parties, those involved in the peace process under former government, CSOs and news media.

Myanmar's peace process has not been able to go ahead since 1st February 2021. Moreover, as the NCA was considered to be void, the processes of the NCA cannot be implemented.

In the same way, EAOs and armed groups emerged from the Spring Revolution are fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw across the country.

Although the SAC is trying to stop battles, peace talks are not effective.

CNI News

26 March 2025

Security activities must be carried out systematically to ensure security and the rule of law so that a multi-party democratic general election could be held, said the SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. 

He said the above at the meeting of the National Planning Commission held on 24th March 2025.

" To ensure security and the rule of law, it is necessary to carry out security activities systematically in Regions and States so that  a multi-party democratic general election could be held," said the SAC Chairman.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the Belarusian President Lukashenko

The SAC had planned to hold elections in Myanmar in December 2025 or January 2026 at the earliest, said the SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the joint press conference with the Belarusian President Lukashenko when he was in Belarus as a goodwill trip on 7 March 2025.

It is less likely to hold elections in 2025 and because 'at the earliest' was included in the announcement, there might be 'at the latest', pointed out domestic and foreign diplomats. Although the SAC Chairman had said that elections would be held in August, 2023, elections can't be held up to now.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing wanted to hold elections and the transfer of power could be conducted in April or May 2026, those close to the SAC said. 

It was necessary to have stabilities and peace in the entire country so that a free and fair general election could be held, said the SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in his message letter sent to the 77th Anniversary Celebration of Chin National Day on 20 February 2025.

While seeing the written message sent by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing to the Chin National Day on 20 March 2025

Battles are severely taking place between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and armed groups in Myanmar's Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Bago Region, Tanintharyi Region, Mandalay Region, Ayeyarwady Region, Shan State, Chin State, Kachin State, Karen State, Kayah State, Rakhine State, and Mon State.

During these battles, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has lost control of many hundred military camps and over 90 townships as well as the Northeast Command and the West Command.
Because of battles, there have been over three million IDPs and many thousand buildings including houses were burned or destroyed.

CNI News

26 March 2025

The Peace Talk 2025 led by the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) was held from 24th to 26th March 2025. 

Although the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) was invited to the talk, it didn't send its delegate to the talk, according to those close to it.

The RCSS is a Shan EAO that has signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). The chairman of the RCSS has taken the responsibility as the leader of the 7 EAOs Alliance that has been formed with seven EAOs among the ten EAOs that have signed the NCA. 

However, of the 7 EAOs Alliance, six EAOs was attending the talk. The talk would mainly discuss the two titles 'politics and security' and 'economy and development'.

CNI News

26 March 2025

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) leads and Peace Talk 2025 is being held from 24th to 26th March 2025 in Naypyidaw. 

The talk is attended by political parties, those involved in the peace process, political analysts, former members of Hluttaw, armed groups and news media and a total of over 100 people are discussing there.

On the first day of the talk that started on 24 March 2025, chairman of the NSPNC, Lieutenant General Yar Pyae delivered opening remarks; vice chairman of the Union Peacemaking Working Committee (UPWC), Union Minister (Retired), U Thein Zaw bid farewell and secretary of the NSPNC Lt-Gen Min Naing explained the aim of the Peace Talk 2025 and plans.

While the Peace Talk 2025 was being held

Daw Le' Le' Thein would discuss under the title ' Important aspect of economic development in the attempt for peace and development' on 25 March.

On the second day of the talk, Dr. Zaw Oo will discuss “Considering Related Sectors in Efforts to Achieve Economic Resilience During Conflict Reduction” and Dr. Nyo Nyo Thin, "Constitutional Amendment and Shaping Democracy and Federal Union".

On the third day, Lt-Gen Myint Soe (retd) will discuss the topic of “Elections, Security, Stability and Rule of Law” and U Ko Ko Gyi will discuss the same topic as well.

CNI News

25 March 2025

Rakhine people still have no ability to accept the reentry of the Muslim refugees from Bangladesh when it is difficult to rebuild Rakhine State, U Myo Kyaw from the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), told CNI News.

The Arakan Army's revolution still is not finished; even if it can control all the territories in Rakhine State, it will be difficult for the AA to implement the processes it has to, so in a situation like that, asking the AA to take responsibility to accept the Muslim refugees won't be easy, he said.

" The AA hasn't finish this revolution up to now. It has to capture Sittwe, Kyauk Phyu and Manaung. If it can control the entire Rakhine State, it has to stabilize, build administrative mechanism systematically, carry out for the people's livelihood, healthcare, education and so on. There will be difficulties. If international community help, it might be convenient. And if the AA even gained its sovereignty, which countries will provide assistance to it? When there are difficulties to build Rakhine State, if it is asked to take responsibility to make the refugees re-enter, I don't believe Rekhine people have the ability to accept the re-entry of the refugees." said U Myo Kyaw.

While seeing Muslim refugees and the UN Secretary General

The UN Secretary General Guterres visited the Cox's Bazaar Refugee Camp together with head of the Bangladeshi Government, Mohammed Yunus last week. During the trip, Yunus said the Muslim refugees would be sent back to Rakhine State.

He believed that it was necessary to discuss with the AA to enable the refugees to come back to Rakhine State, said the US Secretary General Guterres on 15 March. 

However, to enable the refugees come back to Rakhine State depended on the Myanmar government and local authorities, said Tohib Hussain, advisor for the Bangladeshi  Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It was necessary to reach an agreement after discussing among organizations concerned to enable the refugees come back to Rakhine State, U Khun Sai who is taking part in the peace process, told CNI News.

" Even though there was an agreement with the SAC, if there was not an agreement with the AA, the repatriation of the refugees would not be implemented. In my opinion,  if the repatriation of refugees is related to human rights and humanitarian reasons, the AA could not refuse. It is necessary to reach an agreement among the AA, the SAC, Bangladesh and the refugees after they discuss. All the stakeholders will need to participate, I think.”he said.

Due to the battles that broke out in Rakhine State in 2017, the number of Muslim refugees who fled to Bangladesh was just less than one million, reported the Myanmar government. 

However, the number of Muslim refugees was 1.2 million, reported the UN.

CNI News

24 March 2025

Foreign countries' urge to discuss among revolutionary organizations within Myanmar could not work, U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator, told CNI News.

Neighboring countries needed to support federal processes for the peace of Myanmar and enable revolutionary organizations to discuss among them, said country director of Myanmar, of the Forum of Federations, U Win Min.

He said the above when he discussed on the second day of the discussions on Myanmar issues that was conducted at the Thai parliament on 22nd and 23rd March, 2025. Although the foreign countries' urge to discuss among revolutionary organizations should be welcomed, it could not work in practice, U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator told CNI News.

" In my opinion, foreign countries' urge to discuss among revolutionary organizations must be welcomed. But I don't believe it will work because even organizations that stand together locally cannot speak to each other. The fact that foreign countries are encouraging revolutionary organizations to do this won't become anything in practice. If armed organizations want to basically solve small conflicts, it's likely after the military council is overthrown. However, the issue has not yet escalated to armed conflict because central committees from both sides still understand one another." he said.

While seeing the KIA-PDF

EAOs' territorial dominions  have become more spacious after 2021 when political change started. At the same time, territorial disputes could arise, some pointed out.

There may be conflicts  among the revolutionary organizations in the future because of the different interests, said Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News.
" There may be conflicts among EAOs in the future because of different interests. There may be conflicts in the mainland as well. We should be careful that revolution has been so long because revolutionary organizations still are not united and because of these conflicts. The military council seems to want to use it. But if a conflict emerges, armed groups don't solve the problem with weapons as soon as they can but they solve it with negotiation. It's the next step forward in revolution. In this way, our revolution can be successful." she said.

Currently in Shan State, there are territorial disputes between the KIA and the TNLA, between the KIA and the MNDAA, between the TNLA and the SSPP, between the RCSS and the SSPP, between the PNO and the PNLO.

In the same way, in Tanintharyi Region and Karen State, there are territorial disputes between the NMSP and the KNU, between the KNU and the KTLA.

CNI News
24 March 2025

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing will attend the Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) that will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, reported Thai PBS. 

Thailand will host the BIMSTEC summit from 3rd to 4th April, 2025 and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn will serve as the chairman.

The summit will be attended by leaders from member countries - India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand. The BIMSTEC was established in Bangkok in 1997.

The BIMSTEC was formed with the aim of deepening economic cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal.

The BIMSTEC serves as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, promoting economic, social, and cultural ties within the region.