CNI News

22 January 2025

If federalism was established in Myanmar, the 2008 constitution must be lifted, military and political analysts told CNI News. Many points that go against federalism are included in the 2008 constitution and national politics does not contain the army, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, an NCA signatory, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News. 

So, federalism could not be built with the 2008 constitution, he said.

" Federalism can't be built with the 2008 constitution. If we get the draft constitution, the 2008 constitution will have to be repealed. We can't build the federalism, centered on the 2008 constitution. The army doesn't have any power in the federalism. The federalism of any country doesn't contain any participation of the army. The 2008 Constitution contains many provisions that are against federalism. Only when the 2008 constitution is withdrawn, will it make way for the federalism." said Col. Khun Okkar.

While the 2008 Constitution was being read

However, to withdraw the 2008 constitution depended on the military and political negotiations, considered some people. 

Because everyone in Myanmar wanted federalism, although it was not easy, it was not difficult; the main thing was to really want to walk on the federal path, considered military and political analysts.

Finding an answer at the roundtable could be waited even though it might take long; not fighting only was more important, U Khun Sai taking part in the peace process told CNI News. 

" Normally, it's not easy because the one side is saying that the 2008 Constitution is federalism as well and on the other side is demanding higher level such as confederation than the federalism as time goes by. As one country two systems form has become, in any case, it needs to be discussed. Discussion is no problem. But fighting only is the problem." said U Khun Sai.

While seeing leaders from the Myanmar Tatmadaw and EAOs

In Myanmar, many EAOs and political parties are demanding federalism while some EAOs are demanding confederation. Some want the unitary union system and others want to abolish the 2008 Constitution.

Federal system is a system of political governance that is constituted by ethnicities and the people's representatives. 

Federalism term is used to describe the government administration system in which there is a division of power among the central government and regional government.