CNI News

23 December 2024

In some townships in Ayeyarwady Region, which borders Rakhine State, security is deteriorating, which caused difficulties for businesses, according to locals. 

Gwa Township in Rakhine Township where the battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army, is the nearest town to Ayeyarwady Region and as Rakhine locals entered Ayeyarwady Region as IDPs, the security in the region has become weak and checks are being tightened. 

For security, the Myanmar Tatmadaw is recruiting, an anonymous local from Ayeyarwady Region told CNI News.

While the government of Ayeyarwady Region is making checks

" The security situation in NgathaingGyaung and Tharbaung Townships close to Gwa in Rakhine State as well as Yegyi, Ingapu, Myanaung and Kyangin Townships is a little worrying. Because all traffic has been controlled, it's a bit of a burden for locals to live, eat, travel, and come and go. Moreover, because youths are called up for military service if necessary, it's a bit weak in the security of the villages in the townships adjacent to Rakhine State." he said.

Moreover, the authorities reportedly don't allow the people holding 11/ national verification cards in Ngwe Thaung Yan Township.

So, Rakhine IDPs have to stay in the temporary huts, said locals. 

Because the authorities are worried that the AA forces will enter Ayeyarwady Region with IDPs, there are strict checks on entry/exit to the towns. So, locals are finding it difficult in their transportation and businesses.

While seeing the entrance to Pathein City

The people in the eastern parts of the Rakhine Yoma were finding it more difficult, said a local to CNI News. 

“The eastern part of the Yoma is inside Ayeyarwady Region where locals gather firewood, bake charcoal and plant perennial fruit trees. Now because their livelihood is not convenient. On the other hand, as the authorities are carrying out strict security measures, locals can't gather firewood or bake charcoal freely." he said.

At present, the AA has blocked the Gwa-NgathaingGyaung Road to prevent the arrival of Myanmar Army reinforcements while the Myanmar Tatmadaw is preventing the arrival of commodities to Rakhine State from Ayeyarwady Region.

CNI News

23 December 2024

The Program for Peace and Federal Democracy (PPFD) was carrying out so as to expand the political framework in order that peace issues could be solved through political means, chairman of the People's Party (PP) U Ko Ko Gyi told CNI News. 

The 7 NCA signatories alliance, political parties, political elements and CSOs Network For Peace and Federal Democracy jointly built the Program for Peace and Federal Democracy (PPFD) on 13th October 2024.

It was formed with the aim of resolving political issues through political means in implementing peace and federal democracy. 

It was an attempt to re-strengthen political means so that the social life difficulties of the people could be stopped as soon as possible, said U Ko Ko Gyi.

While the negotiations were being conducted for the PPFD

" When the military frame work expands, the political framework becomes narrow. Only when the political framework re-expands, will the culture of resolving the peace issue through political means re-emerge. So, although armed conflicts are severe at present, stakeholders will have to come to the political roundtable sometime in the future. When they reach at the political roundtable, what points might be equal and what points might be different, which we have studied in advance. By doing so, when all-inclusive dialogue is conducted, complete and good basic points will be agreed, we hope. We are trying for that. When you fight a war, you have to find the necessities for the war in various ways. Those who wage war will collect taxes from the people and demand tribute. This is becoming a burden on the people over time. While the economy is not convenient, crimes and thefts are rampant. In order to stop them ASAP, we are making an attempt so as to re-strengthen the political means." he said.

The meeting of the PPFD was held on 17th December 2024 and a gathering of opinion regarding the expansion of political discussion and negotiation were gained. 

While seeing the delegates of EAOs

Agreements were reached to expand the review plan regarding politics, military, international affairs and economy at the meeting.

The PPDF was carrying out to make the country return to the political path peace and federal democracy, leader of the Information Team of the PPDF U Aung Ne Paing told CNI News.

“Federal democracy is the highest aspiration of all. Military conflicts are more severe at present. We are trying to hear the political voice as able as we can although the political framework is currently narrow."he said.

The PPFD will mainly carry out to control the military conflicts by expanding the political framework as well as to hear the public voice again from their silence a result of the domestic conflicts.

CNI News
22 December 2024

Distributing the letter in Katha Town, in which the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) would not consider to make friends with the KIA and the NUG, spoke ill of the SNA as well as to make the people misunderstand the SNA, said spokesperson of the SNA. 

The letter was written by those who impersonated the SNA, he said.

" The letter that is spreading online was not written by the SNA. It is unscrupulously being distributed on purpose in order to get the SNA into trouble. The public will be able to estimate who wrote the letter. There are elements that are launching offensives to the SNA. They are making attempts to capture the Shanni region. Because the SNA was collaborating with the SAC, they are fighting against the SNA. They spread propaganda it's not wrong that they are invading the Shanni region. The SNA is an organization that wants democracy and peaceful co-existence with all the nationalities." he said.

The letter was spreading in Katha on 19th December and it was not being distributed by the SNA; those who wrote the letter intended to invade the SNA region as well as to degrade the dignity of Shanni nationalities, said spokesperson.

Although the SNA is carrying out the regional stability and the security of lives and properties of the people, battles are breaking out between the KIA/PDF and the SNA because the KIA/PDF joint forces are attacking the SNA controlled territories.

The SNA was established in July, 1989 and it will gather Tamu, Homalin, Khamti, Katha, Banmauk, Mawlike and Kalay Districts which are included in Sagaing Region as well as Myitkyina, Mohnyin, Mogaung, Bahmo Districts, Karmine and Indawgyi regions and is trying to get Shanni State.

CNI News

21 December 2024

Myanmar has made efforts throughout the ages to develop its industrial sector, including agriculture, but questions have been raised as to why it has not yet succeeded. 

Because Myanmar is an agricultural country, it is necessary to mainly industrialize the agricultural business, pointed out economic analysts. 

Relevant government agencies need to work directly with farmers so that efforts could be made to industrialize the agricultural workplace, pointed out economic analysts. 

And then, it was necessary to carry out first to help farmers develop through business owners, U Sein Win, former member of the Hluttaw from Maubin, told CNI News.

While seeing a farmer

" The first thing to do is to industrialize the agricultural sector so that an industrial nation can be established. They can't perform to industrialize the agricultural sector. The agricultural sector just can't be industrialized with a theory. It's necessary to put it into practice as well. Based on and centered on farmers, it must be performed. Farmers must be included in every development. The ministry tackles farmers through cronies, but not directly. To develop an industrial nation based on agriculture, it is necessary to take businessmen into account. The government, farmers and businessmen need to cooperate so that farmers can develop." he said.

The State Administration Council issued an order dated December 18 stating that the Industrial Development Commission has been established to implement development of the industrial sector in full swing. 

The Commission is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Transport and Communications General Mya Htun Oo, and Union Minister for Industry Dr. Charlie Than acts as vice-chairman. 

The commission was formed with 16 members.

While the Industrial Development Commission has been formed

Only paddy cultivation is industrialized and there is still a need for mechanization in the cultivation of pulses and corn that are being exported. 

There are a lot of wastage to mechanize the cultivation of pulses and corn, former chairman of the Farmers Development Association U Thein Aung told CNI News.

" Machines are used in cultivating and harvesting paddy, but pulses can't be harvested yet with machines. The bean harvesting machine was created. But it causes 25 percent wastage. The corn harvesting machine is the same as well.

Although international organizations and the government issued loans to buy harvesting and threshing machines, it was just a little effective because there were a lot of farmers who were not within their reach. 

So, farmers want the government to work directly with farmers in issuing loans.

CNI News

21 December 2024

Four Mon armed groups agree to merge into a unified army, a single Mon National Armed Forces and take military action, they said in their joint statement that was released on 19th December 2024. 

The four Mon Armed groups are The Mon Liberation Army (MLA), Mon State Defense Force (MSDF), Mon State Revolutionary Force (MSRF), the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA-AD).

While seeing a joint statement released by four Mon armed groups

The four Mon armed groups held the military cooperation meeting on 18th December 2024 and agreed to merge into a single Mon revolutionary army, said in their joint statement.

As the first stage, the four armed groups agreed to carry out joint military operations, said in the statement.

CNI News

20 December 2024

The agreements reached from political dialogues regarding the wars must be enacted in the constitution so that political guarantees could be won,  chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S) Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

Although the EAOs have the upper hand on the SAC because they have captured a lot of territories, the SAC would accede not everything the EAOs demand, pointed out political commentators.

Meanwhile, although China could intervene to prevent the utter devastation, the decision would depend on the stakeholders, said Col. Khun Okkar.

" War results must be officially changed into political results. It's impossible that political results must be guaranteed because of the war results. The war results are when you win, you take and when I win, I take. But political results will be guaranteed by political agreements reached through political dialogues. If these political guarantees only are enacted in the constitution, military victories will become political victories. It must be included in the amendments of the constitution." he said.

While armed groups, the Tatmadaw and political parties were meeting and discussing

The delegation of the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the MNDAA met and discussed in China on 15th December and, then the Myanmar Tatmadaw would possibly meet with the TNLA and the AA, considered military and political analysts.

Until that situation, the AA was launching offensives to important military headquarters, they pointed out. 

Although revolutionary forces were saying there was no reason to discuss because they would pay the blood debt, stakeholders would have to go back to the political roundtable in the end of revolution and politics, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), U Myo Kyaw told CNI News.

While seeing Lt-Gen Ko Ko Oo and the MNDAA

" Although revolutionary forces are saying that they would pay the blood debt, in the end of politics and revolution, stakeholders will have to go back to the political roundtable. Revolutionary groups are different from one another and so are nationalities that are waging the revolution. Rulers who have ruled through the ages know that. When the EAOs gain the de facto power that can rule their territories, political discussions could emerge. Although they say that they build their territories, the Union Government says that it is an internal affairs and conducts air strikes and shooting with large weapons. To prevent these attacks, it is necessary to reach political agreements." he said.

China met with the AA on 1st December and with the UWSA on 3rd December and with the TNLA on 5th December and with the KIA on 8th and 9th December. 

And then, the MNDAA met with the delegation of the Myanmar Tatmadaw led by Lt-Gen Ko Ko Oo on 15th December.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw is not encouraging in the current battles against EAOs, pointed out military and political analysts.

CNI News
19 December 2024

Senior military ranks of the Myanmar Tatmadaw were being reshuffled, said those close to Naypyidaw. 

Lt-Gen Kyaw Swar Lin who held the position of the Chief of Staff (Army) was transferred to the position of the Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy, and Air) and Maj-Gen Than Htike, Commander of the Northwest Command was transferred to the position of the Chief of Staff ( Army).

The principal of the No. 13 Military Higher Training School, Brig-Gen Myo Min Htwe will be transferred to the position of the Commander of the Northwest Command. 
Moreover, Brig-Gen Soe Kyaw Htet was appointed as the Commander of the Southwest Command and Maj-Gen Wai Lin, commander of the Southwest Command, was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Other top military positions are also likely to be reshuffled, according to sources from Naypyidaw.

CNI News
19 December 2024

General Tin Aung San and General Maung Maung Aye were transferred, announced the State Administration Council (SAC) on 18th December 2024. 

General Tin Aung San was transferred from the position of Minister of Defense to the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, said in a statement issued by the SAC.

Moreover, General Maung Maung Aye who held the position of the Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy, and Air) was transferred as Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, announced the SAC.

General Tin Aung San served as the Chief of Staff (Navy) from 11th August 2015 to February 2021 and as the Minister of the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication from 3rd February, 2021 to 3rd August, 2023.

While seeing the statement released by the SAC

And then, he served as the Defense Minister from 3rd August 2023 to 17th December 2024. He is serving as a member of the SAC as well.

General Maung Maung Aye served as the Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy, and Air) from 1st February 2021 to 17th December, 2024 and has been serving as member of the SAC up to now since 25th September 2023.

Moreover, he will serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister.

CNI News

19 December 2024

China's pressure on the Arakan Army (AA) was unlikely to be significant, U Khun Sai who is taking part in the peace process, told CNI News. 

The AA is severely attacking in order to capture the West Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw and on the other hand, leaders of the AA are discussing with the Chinese delegates. 

Although China might have put pressure on the AA more or less, it was unlikely to be significant, said U Khun Sai.

" The AA is different from the UWSA and the NDAA. The AA is far away from China. it's near to India and Bangladesh. China might have pressure on the AA more or less. But the pressure is unlikely to be significant like those on the Kokang and Myla, I think. It's up to the AA whether it will attack Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State. China does business in Kyaukphyu. And there is its deep sea port from which China imports petroleum and gas. There will be give and take between China and the AA for that. There is a navy camp of the SAC on Mahn Aung Island. It won't be easy for the AA to capture Mahn Aung because the AA doesn't have navy force." he said.

While seeing a junction in Rakhine State

While the battles are severely breaking out between the AA and the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Rakhine State, The AA officials and the Chinese officials met and discussed in Tengchong, China on 1st December 2024. 

The matters regarding building peace, ceasefire and the security for the Chinese projects were discussed in the meeting. 

However, the AA captured 10 battalions and divisions including military camps near the airport in Ann Township, it released on 6th December 2024.

Moreover, the AA announced that it had captured the Border Guard Police Unit-5 of the SAC on 8th December and seized control of the entire Maungdaw Town on 10th December 2024. 

The AA should abandon its armed policy and he wanted the AA on the right track, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in the 50th anniversary celebration of Rakhine State Day on 15th December 2024.

Rather than putting pressure on the AA, China was in a situation that it would have to negotiate with the AA, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) U Myo Kyaw told CNI News.

While seeing the AA

" Ann, Taung Goat and Gwa - they are exits of Rakhine State by road. The AA has captured Ann where the West Command of the SAC is located and Taung Goat. Now, the AA is launching an offensive to Gwa. It will be able to capture the town in a few days, I think. According to the geographic situation, I don't think China won't be able to put pressure on the AA. And the AA can relate with India and Bangladesh. So, rather than pressure, China will have to negotiate with the AA because China's a two ocean dream and investments are located in Rakhine State. So, they will negotiate and conduct a give and take, I think." he said.

Battles are severely breaking out between the AA and the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Rakhine State and there are also many IDFs there. 

Moreover, houses, schools, monasteries, religious buildings, bazaars, roads and bridges were damaged while people in the state are facing the shortages of food, medicine and fuel oil.

About 2 million people could face famine in Rakhine State and in early 2025, production of food in the state could meet only 20 percent of the necessity, estimated the UNDP.