CNI News
11 April 2025
The international community's provision of humanitarian assistance to earthquake-affected people in Myanmar does not imply political recognition of the SAC government, Colonel Khun Okkar, chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), which signed the NCA, told CNI News.
He said that the international aid is within the framework of humanitarian assistance and does not imply any legitimacy or political recognition for the SAC government.
“Despite political opposition, the earthquake has become a humanitarian issue, and due to the earthquake, when citizens suffer casualties and damage, which But has necessitated international assistance. But it doesn't imply political recognition and legitimacy of the SAC, I think. There are countries that said their aids were not tantamount of the political recommendation as a pre-condition." said Col. Khun Okkar.
Experts on international diplomacy have pointed out that efforts should be made to gain political legitimacy from international aid for the earthquake, and that the SAC should try to open international diplomatic channels.
While the SAC Chairman was observing the Indian medical team providing healthcare to Myanmar earthquake victims
Myanmar had planned to hold a general election in December 2025 or January 2026, SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said at a joint press conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on March 7, 2025.
Furthermore, the Union Election Commission (UEC) announced on April 8, 2025 that political parties that will contest the upcoming elections must apply for political party registration by May 9.
If elections were not held, the international community might consider that the country would continue to suffer because the SAC government would continue to rule the country, U Sai Htay Aung, chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) National Development Party (TNDP), told CNI News.
While seeing the Union Election Commission and political parties
" Opposition against the SAC is their side. Rather than that the SAC tries to win legitimacy, the nature created kind of. When a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar, there were some recognition pf the Tatmadaw. Powerful countries may consider if elections were not held, because the SAC would continue to rule the country, the Myanmar would continue to get into trouble. But if elections were held, we could discuss and negotiate with the government that would come to power." he said.
The head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Tom Fletcher, said during a meeting with SAC Foreign Minister U Than Swe on April 6, 2025 that international pledges of $93 million have been received to help the Myanmar earthquake-affected people.
Similarly, the United States has announced $9 million in aid for earthquake victims in Myanmar, while the Quad, which includes the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, has pledged $20 million for the Myanmar earthquake. They point out that holding elections in 2025 will not be easy, as Myanmar currently has earthquake and war recovery efforts to carry out, as well as efforts to recover from the economic downturn.
