CNI News
March 5, 2026
Military and political alysts are raising questions regarding whether the various armed organizations in Myanmar are truly working for the benefit of the public or merely pursuing their own self-interests.
Political analyst U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News that while everyone carrying a weapon claims to be doing so for the people because it sounds good to the ear, it is the civilians who are left to bear the consequences.
"The people are the priority. Everyone carrying a weapon says 'it's for the people' because it’s a pleasant thing to say. However, if they are truly working for the people, one must ask why the public is the only side suffering and mired in endless trouble? They claim to be working for the masses, revolting for the masses, or on the other hand, protecting the masses—yet only the people suffer. This needs a serious rethink. Where there is a problem, there is a solution. The issue is that everyone is busy pointing fingers and blaming each other. If there is a genuine desire for change and a will to make things better, these are not impossible tasks. Because of the weight of this civil war and the abundance of empty promises, no one really believes them anymore. I want to ask those holding guns: give us a reason to believe you, just once. That’s all."
Armed group leaders holding a conference.
Political analysts point out that since the political shifts of 2021, armed conflict has expanded across Myanmar, reaching regions and states that had never experienced fighting before. They argue that attempting to solve armed conflict with more weapons will not yield results for generations to come.
Currently, the impact of the war includes: Over 4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed by fire. Significant numbers of civilian casualties.
U Htet Aung Kyaw further emphasized that open verbal debate about the vision for the country is the best path forward.
A scene from the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).
"War requires sacrificing lives and money on both sides. Instead of that, it would be best to openly argue with words about what kind of nation we envision. If we can develop the habit of accepting a logical and reasonable argument rather than just insisting on being right, then no matter how much we argue, it’s not a problem. If we debate with the mindset of finding a solution, we can move forward. If one feels that the current actions only result in harming the people, there is no reason to be afraid of debate. We must debate for the sake of the people. If they are brave enough to kill each other with guns, why would they be afraid to argue with words? They must speak."
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has stated that ethnic unity is vital for ending internal armed conflicts and is a major driving force for national development. He urged ethnic brothers to remove suspicions, build trust through negotiation, and work toward achieving eternal peace.
