CNI News

11 September 2023

Regionally-based federalism is the most suitable for Myanmar, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

He said the above while he was meeting with local militia leaders in northern Shan State on 10th September, 2023. 

" In the implementation of democratic system and federal governance, there are ethnically-based federalism and regionally-based federalism. Most of the countries in the world apply regionally based federalism. The federalism based on region is the most appropriate for Myanmar." he said.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with militia leaders on 10th September, 2023

After that, when the peace talks are held,  ethnic armed organizations tend to demand for the sake of their ethnics and EAOs are weak in demanding for the sake of their regions. Organizations must not be ones representing a group of people, but they need to be ones representing a region, added chairman of the SAC. And he said that the Tatmadaw would carry out the peace processes, standing firmly on the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).

According to the 2008 Constitution, Myanmar is made up of seven regions, seven states, five self-administered zones and one self-administered division. So, the current federalism is based on region and ethnicity and if a regionally based federalism was built, it would be necessary to amend the 2008 constitution.