CNI News

6 Oct 2022

Ethnic groups have played a vital role in the Spring Revolution victory led by the National Unity Government, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

Ethnic armed organizations have played an important role in political developments while the Communist Party of Burma and the All Burma Student Democratic Front had to build their bases in areas of ethnic groups, he added.

U Pe Than told CNI, “Whenever the country faced a political crisis, dissidents had to take shelter in areas controlled by EAOs. In 1988, students had to flee to areas controlled by EAOs and established the ABSDF to fight the junta. Now, a large number of People’s Defence Forces have built their bases in areas of EAOs and are cooperating with them. PDFs in non-ethnic areas have to struggle through their own ways and means. So, EAOs will continue to play a significant part in the Spring Revolution victory. After the victory of the revolution, it will be important to address the ethnic issues. How will the NUG and the NUCC guarantee ethnic rights? Currently, they can pay lip service only. However, how they will treat ethnic issues is important.”

Members of the National Unity Consultative Council.

Ethnic groups had high expectations in the National League for Democracy but the party failed to live up to the expectations.  The civil war will continue as long as ethnic issues are not addressed, he added.

At present, EAOs fall into three groups such as supporters of political means, neutrals and supporters of armed struggle, Col Khun Okkar, an EAO leader, told the CNI.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing meets leaders of the UWSA, the NDAA and the SSPP.

Col Khun Okkar said, “Members of the northern alliance do not sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement nor involve in fighting and enjoy their rights in areas under their control. Those from southern groups are cooperating with the opposition forces and fighting the junta. So, EAOs are not united. If they are united, both sides will listen to their voices. Otherwise, their influence and roles will be lost. We will have to admit it.”

NCA signatory EAOs are providing protection to the public under the NCA, he added.

After the military coup on 1^st February, 2021, youths, students, NLD members and activists took shelter in EAO areas and established PDFs to fight the junta.