CNI News

29 May 2025

Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), has suggested that a one-party system could be used to unify the country, which is suffering widespread internal armed conflicts and many disagreements.

For political stability, there must be a single armed organization, a party that can control that armed organization, and that party must include all ethnic groups and the mainland, Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

He also said that if the right to self-governance and self-determination of ethnic groups is enshrined in the constitution, the armed conflict can end, and that if this is the case, the one-party system will become a priority in Myanmar politics.

"As long as there is armed conflict without political stability, the country will remain like this. So, if we are to find the reason for the armed conflict to achieve political stability and find a solution to that reason, there must be a single armed organization. We need a big party that can control that one armed organization. That party must include all ethnic groups, and the mainland must also be included. Can we negotiate to create such a party? So, if we achieve national unity If we achieve political stability, we can take steps towards economic development. We have already established the self-determination of ethnic groups under the constitution. If that happens, will the armed conflict end? If this is something that should be considered, then a one-party system would be a priority for Myanmar politics," he said.

While 32 political parties were discussing

A one-party system is a system in which a country is governed by a single party, with the party leader (or the party's central authority) holding power over the country. 

The SAC chairman has promised to hold elections in December 2025, and has also said that elections will be held under a multi-party democratic system, suggesting that a one-party system is unlikely.

SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said on March 21, 2025 that multi-party democracy is what the people are demanding, not what they are demanding, and that stability is necessary if democracy is to be achieved.

Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI News that they will have to consider whether they can negotiate to create an all-inclusive unified party and whether the various parties that control the various ethnic armed groups can be included under one party that will lead the entire union, before moving on to a new country.

“Can we unite to end the armed conflict? The 2008 constitution encourages all parties, but we need to review and negotiate. For example, if we unite with the United Wa State Party (UWSP), can we negotiate to form a big party that can unite the whole of Myanmar? Can the armed forces all join together and form an army that protects the Union? How can we cooperate? Will we go to a national conference? Will we go to a major negotiation? "Under one big party that will lead the entire union, can the Wa Party participate, can the Mongla participate, can the Kokang participate, can the Palaung participate, can the AA participate, can the Mon participate? After considering these, we need to move towards a new country," he said.

Myanmar had been governed by a single party since 1974, the Myanmar Socialist Programme Party led by U Ne Win, and experienced a one-party system.
Then, the 1988 uprising broke out, and the MSP was dissolved, U Ne Win also resigned, and the 1974 Constitution was also abolished.

Currently, there is intense fighting between the Myanmar military and armed groups in Myanmar, and armed groups are seizing territory, building power, and establishing governance. So, there are concerns that a multi-party democracy will be replaced by the warlord system.