CNI Interview

May 8, 2026

Following the military’s removal of the NLD government and takeover on February 1, 2021, Myanmar has seen nationwide protests and armed resistance, leading to ongoing clashes in most regions and states. 

Amidst this, the military held the 2025 General Election and formed a government. On April 21, 2026, they issued an invitation to armed organizations to engage in peace talks by a deadline of July 31.

CNI News contacted Comrade Sunny, General Secretary of the ABSDF—an organization that signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) but is currently in active combat against the military—to discuss these developments.

CNI: We’ve heard that NCA signatory groups are being invited. What is the ABSDF’s current status regarding this?

Comrade Sunny:  We have heard the reports about an invitation to peace talks. However, we haven’t received anything official yet. Even if they do approach us, we have no intention of accepting right now, given the current situation of the country.

CNI: What kind of landscape or conditions would make you consider accepting peace or dialogue?

Comrade Sunny: There is a lot to discuss there, but for now, let’s just say there isn’t one. A dialogue will only be successful if the landscape is one that we can all accept. Since that environment doesn't exist yet, I don't have much more to say on the matter.

CNI: What is your view on this invitation?

Comrade Sunny: It’s not working. An invitation like this isn't enough. Furthermore, this isn't something that should only happen because Naypyidaw calls for it. This is a national issue that must be resolved. We will continue our own actions according to our own methods and plans.

A troop of ABSDF seen

CNI: Do you feel this invitation is condescending?

Comrade Sunny: Exactly. You can’t invite people like this. There needs to be genuine political will. They need to show practical action. There must be true goodwill toward the people and the country. For an invitation to be effective, the actions on the ground must support it. In the current climate, no organization can accept this kind of invitation. Speaking for the ABSDF, we are in no position to accept.

CNI: What are the main requirements for a landscape that everyone can accept?

Comrade Sunny:  Everyone knows the answer to that; there’s no need for specifics. All stakeholders and the public know what an acceptable landscape looks like. It involves the desire for peace, national unity, and what must be done to build a future Federal Democratic Union. Without doing those things, these invitations to talks are futile.

CNI: Are you concerned about pressure from neighboring countries on Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) in this current setting?

Comrade Sunny:  Neighboring countries may seek negotiations or exert pressure based on their own national interests. While we can view those negotiations as "pressure," their interests could also become an advantage for us. We need to think about how to turn those situations into opportunities rather than just seeing them as pressure.

CNI: The invitation has a "100-day" deadline. What are your thoughts on that?

Comrade Sunny:  That "100 days" is just their own talk. You can't build a country in 100 days. It took many years to destroy it. Reforms toward peace and nation-building under a civilian-led government were destroyed by five years of military rule after the coup. How can you fix that in 100 days? National unity has collapsed, trust is gone, and the lives and property of the people have been destroyed.

If there were real political will, they wouldn't use threats or challenges like "come to talks within 100 days or else." You can't change the country with that kind of arrogance. They know what needs to be done but are acting provocatively. The military group is just one entity; they can no longer act as the sole center of power. Rebuilding the country requires a framework where all forces can participate. If they only think of themselves as the center, the prospects for nation-building are not good.

During A Youth Peace Forum

CNI: We’ve noticed that in speeches from Naypyidaw, they often ask for "what is possible and appropriate," yet they never officially define what that means. Your view?

Comrade Sunny:  What is "possible and appropriate" is very clear and simple.

Acknowledge the goal of a Federal Democratic Union. This requires political dialogue.

Abolish the 2008 Constitution. We need a new constitution that all stakeholders can accept and live under together.

The military must exit politics. It must become a military that operates under civilian rule.

It is not right for them to say "don't ask for the impossible" while they themselves refuse to accept these basic requirements. All our forces have a shared goal and a common standing for a future Federal Democratic Union. We are talking about building a Union where all ethnic groups coexist with equality, justice, mutual recognition, and respect.

Naypyidaw cannot say "this is the country I will build." They must participate only as one of the stakeholders. We need to prepare a new constitution and ensure civilian supremacy. Only then can we build a sustainable Union.

CNI: You mentioned a new constitution and the military exiting politics. These are things that usually require negotiation. How should we bring about that dialogue?

Comrade Sunny:  Every group knows how to make dialogue happen. For meaningful and equal political dialogue, all stakeholders—especially the military group—must do what is necessary. They must completely stop targeting civilians. They know the attitude required for real dialogue, but acting with such arrogance and condescension makes it difficult for anyone to participate comfortably.

Any group that joins under these conditions would only be doing so temporarily. Long-term peace and a sustainable Union aren't possible under these circumstances yet. I’m not saying it's impossible forever, but it's not possible right now. All forces are trying various methods to make it possible. Currently, the country is failing politically, economically, and socially. The military’s hostility is destroying the nation. They need to stop. If they show true political will and turn toward the people, we might consider it.

During an anniversary celebration of the NCA

CNI: Regarding the 100-day invitation, they seem to categorize three groups, including yours, as still being within the NCA. What is your stance?

Comrade Sunny:  The situation has already moved past the NCA. The political landscape of the NCA era is vastly different from the landscape today. It is no longer practical to move forward based solely on the NCA.

New revolutionary forces, political groups, and many "state actors" have emerged. When you look at the whole picture, the NCA framework is too small. We need to consider a much broader, more inclusive framework. Therefore, if they try to pull us back into the NCA box, we have no plans to join, and it simply isn't possible for other forces to participate in that either.

CNI: What are your group's current activities?

Comrade Sunny:  We are fighting alongside other forces in both political and military arenas. As an organization, we are continuing our struggle through various methods. We are collaborating with all forces working toward the end of the military dictatorship.

CNI: Do you assess that the military situation might become more intense?

Comrade Sunny: It is likely to intensify. The more oppression there is, the greater the response. As pressure builds, military activity will rise. This landscape is a direct result of the military group's hostility.