CNI News

14 December 2023

The political community is reviewing if the meeting between the State Administration Council and the three northern groups aka the Three Brotherhood Alliance _ the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA) change the revolution. 

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and the Three Brotherhood Alliance met in Kunming, China to stop battles through the Chinese mediation.

He wanted all the stakeholders to think about the stability for the entire country and the public also wanted a peaceful country, Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) told CNI News.

While seeing people fleeing from Laukkai City due to the battles between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance

" I accept the peace. I want all the stakeholders to think about the peace and stability for the whole Myanmar. I want China and India to help think about. If the SAC bravely offered a political compromise that would end all armed conflicts, a good result could come out for Myanmar. If the result was wonderful, all the armed groups could transform into a great union army. Most of the stakeholder want the country to be a new stable, peaceful and developed country, I think. This period needs to be the one when we all hate the war. If a public desire for a new, stable and developed country arose and if the SAC and revolutionary leaders believed that now is the time they could leave a good legacy for the next generations and negotiate and consult, a new peace process can emerge strongly. If this happens, the public will welcome it with joy." said Dr.Aye Maung.

The battles between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance have been taking place severely since the Operation-1027 was launched by the TBA on 27th October. 

Due to these battles, the China-Myanmar border trade has suspended and most of locals are also fleeing to safety. 

If the battles stopped because of the discussion between the two sides, it would be convenient for the IDPs. And then if the roads and bridges could be reconstructed, it would be better for the border trade, Col.Khun Okka, an EAO leader, told CNI News.

While the houses were on fire due to heavy weapons in Theinni Town

" If there is less conflict, there will be less harm and death to the public. If China reconstructs the roads and bridges, it would be better for the IDPs and the public. If the IDPs had to displace for long, they would get into trouble in the cold season." he said.

The battles between the two sides have been breaking out severely although the operation waged by the Three Brotherhood Alliance has been over one month long. The operation has been spreading to Kachin State, Sagaing and Mandalay Regions. In addition, the battles between the Tatmadaw and the AA is breaking out in Rakhine and Chin States.

The delegates from the SAC's NSPNC and the Three Brotherhood Alliance met and discussed in Kunming, China on 10th December 2023 and agreed to the temporary ceasefire from 11th to 31st December 2023, according to the individuals close to the two sides.

CNI News

14 December 2023

The State Administration Council possibly invited armed groups to resolve through political means because it didn't want the country not to be destroyed, Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party told CNI News. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council said on 4th December that Loikaw in Kayah State was destroyed due to battles and it was difficult to be reconstructed, and in sympathy with the fact that the local people were innocent victims amidst the battles, it would be necessary to find a political solution.

Rulers of the country were finding ways to solve the problem of towns and villages being damaged due to the current battles, said Dr.Aye Maung.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

" You might not have sympathy for the victims of war if you had no experience of the war during the domestic conflict that has been 75 years long. The soldiers of the Tatmadaw will see the troubles more. They must have seen that their colleagues lost their lives when they had to fight because of orders without hatred. Towns and villages are being damaged. Because the parents were in trouble, they couldn't send their children to school. The food has run out. The people had to leave their native villages. The people had to flee to other countries as refugees. Due to the battles, Loikaw has been damaged in Kayah State and so has Thantlan in Chin State and so has Pauktaw in Rakhine State. Moreover, Namkham and Theinni in northern Shan State have been damaged as well. Rulers of the country will think about how to negotiate and discuss as an alternative." he said.

Armed conflicts have been taking place in the border areas due to political changes after 1st February 2021. After that, the armed conflict is taking place in the mainland area where the conflict had not broken out before. Solving the political problems by political means was better for both the country and the people, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party) told CNI News.

While seeing leaders from the three northern alliance groups

" Solving political problems by political means is better for both the country and its people. If the battles are breaking out, fighters from both sides are all our citizens. The war expenses spent by both sides are also national funds. It will be best to discuss it at the table and settle it." he said.

The Tatmadaw and Three Brotherhood Alliance agreed to a temporary ceasefire from 11th to 31st December because of the Chinese mediation. 

Neighbouring Countries, some EAOs and political parties as well as the UN and ASEAN are trying to solve the domestic armed conflict.

CNI News

13 December, 2023

Because the fuel cannot be bought in Rakhine State at present, it is difficult to reap the rainfed paddy, and if the current situation continues, about half of the state's paddy may be wasted, according to the Rakhine State Farmers' Union.

The Rakhine State Administration Council has closed all entrances and exits to Rakhine State as well as all the roads and waterways inside the state due to the battles breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) since 13th November. So, medicine, foodstuff and fuel are expensive and running out.

As the fuel has run out, rainfed paddy is being reaped by manpower. However, as the number of labors is few, now is the time beyond the period of harvesting paddy. So,  about half of rainfed paddy might be damaged, U Kyaw Zan, chairman of the Rakhine State Farmers Union, told CNI News.

"Although the fuel is not available at a time like this, we have to work as able as we can. Farm workers have been quite scarce. When we are depending on machines, as there is no fuel, we are finding it difficult. If the current situation goes on, about half of paddy probably will be wasted. Or farmers will make a loss due to the quality degrade. The products might not reach the market." he said.

While the paddy is being harvested by manpower

Fuel cannot be bought in most of the townships in Rakhine State and the price of diesel is between 30,000 and 50,000 kyats per liter in the townships where fuel can be bought. The paddy that was reaped beyond the harvesting period cannot be changed into rice, but into broken rice only. So, most of Rakhine farmers. can make a loss reportedly.

Therefore, more and more farmers will desert their farms in the coming rainfed paddy season, U Khin Maung Than, a farmer from Kyauktaw Township, told CNI News.

" The people in Rakhine State suffered from the Covid-19 pandemic, Cyclone Mocha and the civil war one year after another. We will find it more difficult next year. More and more farmers will desert their farms, I think." he said.

The rainfed paddy cultivation area is about 800,000 acres this year and it is grown most in Mrauk U and Kyauktaw Townships. 

Of the paddy currently grown, if half of the paddy was damaged, the townships in Rakhine State where the paddy is not grown a lot would need rice badly, according to the Rakhine State Farmers Union.

CNI News

13 December 2023

Because the Central Bank of Myanmar has allowed the people to trade the dollar freely, the black market could die out and the difficulties of dollar scarcity would be solved, said businessmen.

Authorized dealers, licensed banks have been allowed to trade dollars freely at the market price and buyers and sellers can trade freely, the Central Bank stated on 5th December.

In the past, because the Central Bank designated that one dollar must be sold at 2,100 kyats, there were two prices _ one is the Central Bank price and the other, the black market price. after that, as the Central Bank restricted the price of dollar, exporters and precious stone traders became to save dollars.

Because the Central Bank has allowed the public to trade dollars freely, dollars that were stored will arrive in the market and the dollar black market will die out, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator told CNI News.

People waiting to buy fuel at the fuel station

" The price of dollar can go up anymore. Once the price reaches an equilibrium, the price will not rise above that. And then, dollars will enter the market. Traders have a lot of dollars. If these dollars re-enter the market, the price will reach an equilibrium. if the price of dollar go up, baht and yuan will enter again. The black market would disappear after being able to trade freely. Even the government might not be able to buy dollars because the dollars will be imported. The price of dollar might rise up to 4,200 kyats per dollar. The commodity price will not decline. The price of fuel also may rise up to 3,000 kyats per litre, we have estimated." said U Thet Zaw.

The government has allowed the public to trade dollar freely in order to solve the economic embargo as well as to replace the suspension of border trade with maritime trade, said business people.

Because the dollar can be traded freely, it has become more beneficial to exporters and they can export more products reportedly. On the other hand, it might be difficult for importers depending on the rise and fall of dollar, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

" Because the government has allowed to trade dollars freely, the price of dollar has been much more that 2,100 kyats. So, importers will have more costs. It depends on how they will consider about it to make a profit." he said.

While seeing a basic class

However, because domestic dollar demand will decrease in the long run, it will be easier to import, an anonymous business analyst told CNI News.

" If you have got a lot of dollars, you can import more easily than before. But the price of dollar will go up. It will impact on monetary inflation a bit. On the other hand, exporters can export more products. If the foreign currencies enter the country, it will be the positive effect. If you compare the two, the good is more." he said.

Dollar trading should not have been controlled since before and due to the control, the price of dollar has been higher. Because the dollar trading has been allowed to carry out freely, although the price of dollar is gradually going up, the price will be stable in the long run, pointed out businessmen.

Only if the price of dollar is stable, will the domestic commodity prices be stable. And then, it will be convenient for businessmen to do business. And then, it will be convenient for basic workers to enjoy job opportunities and wages.

CNI News

13 December 2023

The difficulty purchasing the fuel is related to not only the people who own the cars in the country, but also all the people across the country.

So, it was necessary to solve the problem as soon as possible, economic commentators and advisors told CNI News.

If the problem could not solved within two or three weeks, the entire people of the country would suffer from other problems including high commodity prices. So, the problem that is difficult to buy fuel should not be taken lightly, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

" Firstly, there may be problems in trade and transportation cases. There may also be a problem in passenger transport. There may be obstacles for the flow of goods. There may be difficulties for manufacturing business. Fuel is not allowed to be stored. But because the electricity is not available regularly, when the generators have to be used, fuel must be stored. And then, big generators are used at banks. When there is a power failure in banks and there is no fuel to run generators, if the banking operations stop, there is a possibility that the country's economy may become chaotic. So, the problem should be solved as soon as possible." said U Thet Zaw.

A fuel station

The problem came after a statement relating to foreign exchange had been released on 5th December by the Central Bank of Myanmar and has been one week long.

In spite of releasing the statement all of a sudden, the Central Bank should notify businessmen in advance so that they would have time to make preparations, pointed out economic commentators and advisors.

" Merchants will not sell their goods at a loss. So, it's like they're gradually selling their goods. People take the problem lightly when it starts taking place. In fact, it probably will be a great problem. The Central Bank alone can't tackle the problem. All related departments need to think about it to take action. Departments are weak in connection with one another. How are they playing politics above? They only know that." Ko Zaw Min Naing, an agricultural and economic advisor, told CNI News.

The farmers will grow summer paddy soon. Farmers use fuel to irrigate, drain and plough. If it was difficult to buy fuel for long, a lot of production could be reduced or no production could be conducted. Eventually, it was likely to face famine, he concluded.

Although the Myanmar Rice Federation has stated that it has planned to make farmers buy enough fuel and fertilizer at an affordable price to grow summer paddy, it must be watched, said Ko Zaw Min Naing, an agricultural and economic advisor.

While it is difficult to buy fuel, roadside shops that sell fuel double or thrice more expensive than fuel stations have arisen. 

People waiting to buy fuel with their cars (Su Myat Htwe)

Because the black market has appeared, fuel stations will no longer sell fuel to buyers who come without cars. However, factories, workshops and companies should be sold in some way as well, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator told CNI News.

"Factories, companies, hospitals and clinics should also be allowed to purchase fuel with quotas. If there is a crisis in Myanmar, depending on the crisis, a class that take the opportunity and make money tend to arise. There are people who line up and resell to make money. Among these people are business people, too. It's not good to do so." said U Thet Zaw.

Because the people who come to buy fuel without cars are not sold, when there was a power failure in a certain hospital or clinic, there would be implications for patients who have to breathe oxygen, pointed out economic commentators and advisors.

Moreover, if fuel can be easily bought, the fuel price can be higher than the current price. So, the relevant authorities should consider the methods in advance about it, they suggested.

CNI News

12 December 2023

The officials from the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) met with the officials from the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA) in Kunming, China through China's mediation to stop battles. 

Depending on the progress that will result from the dialogue, they will meet again by the end of this month.

" The officials from the NSPNC held talks with the officials from the MNDAA, TNLA and AA with the help of China to find a political solution. Based of the development of this meeting, there will be another meeting at the end of this month." said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the information team of the State Administration Council.

The both sides have not stated the particulars that were discussed. The two sides agreed to cease fire from 11th to 31st December, individuals close to the three northern groups (MNDAA, TNLA and AA) and the NSPNC told CNI News.

CNI News

12 December 2023

While those who were working in Laukkai returned to Lashio due to the battles and high commodity prices, many of them had no contact with their family members and some of them were arrested by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), their family members told CNI News.

Since November, they have come down from Laokkai to return to their hometowns and they have no contact with their family members up to now and some have been arrested to recruit, which a person, her acquaintance, released by the MNDAA told her, Ma Akari, lover of a detainee, told CNI News.

" Many people have been returning from Laukkai up to now since 25th November. They were arrested in Chin Shwe Haw or on the way. I was told that all the ethnic people were arrested. I don't know how my boyfriend was arrested because I have no contact with him. I was told that he came back with a Karen woman. At the first checkpoint, he told the checkers that he was a karen. If you told them that you were a Karen, your phone would not be seized. But at the second checkpoint, both of them were arrested. Among those who were arrested with them were included two brothers. One of brothers was released. He made a contact with me. He was sent back to Chin Shwe Haw at night. They were arrested in Wa State somewhere beyond Namtik. He doesn't recognize the place exactly." she said.

Those who come down to Lashio

There were many people who came to Laukkai from other regions including Bago, Magway, Yangon and Sagaing Regions to work there and due to the current battles breaking out in northern Shan State, they came back to their hometowns through Lashio.

Those who afford came back in cars or on motorcycles while those who couldn't afford returned on foot, said locals.

Although many people came down from Laukkai, because the family members haven't had no contact with them, there are a lot of people who are asking for help through their social network pages, describing their phone numbers.

Those who described their phone numbers on social media were also facing fraudulent requests for money, U Nyan, who has not had contact with his six family members who have come down since 18th November, told CNI News.

" We haven't had contact with my family members since 18th November. A man phoned me yesterday. He said that my family members were at the 125 relif camp. He would send them to Mandalay. But we have to pay him 300,000 kyats each person. I replied him that I needed to consult with other family members because I can't afford that amount. I haven't contacted him. After that, another man phoned me not very long ago. He told me that they have arrested my daughter and granddaughter. If I transferred 300,000 kyats to him, he would release my daughter and granddaughter. But he didn't allow me to talk with my daughter and granddaughter." he said.

Those who come down to Lashio

Several hundred civilians are fleeing to Lashio daily from Laukkai, Chin Shwe Haw, Namtik, Tangyan, Kunlong, Theinni due the current battles breaking out severely in northern Shan State and most of them were from Laukkai, said local philanthropic associations.

" Most of them are coming back from Laukkai. We, philanthropic associations, give them rice packages and a few other necessities. They get into trouble a bit. We can't carry them by car. They have to walk. There is a slight shortage of food and water on the way. When they reach here, we have planned to make them convenient. Those who arrive from Laukkai are not allowed to enter Lashio. The authorities allow them to stay outside Lashio conveniently." said an official from a philanthropic association.

if the residents of Lashio were among the civilians who fled, those who could show evidence that they were Lashio residents would be allowed to enter the city reportedly. 

However, because big battles have not yet taken place in Laukkai, some people have not come back from there. However, they are getting into trouble due to skyrocketing prices reportedly.

CNI News

12 December 2023

Revolutionary forces are restricting speaking Shanni in Sagaing Region and Kachin State, Shan Civil organizations stated dated 9th December 2023. 

The restriction was being conducted and it it was the oppression to die out the Shanni nationalities and it was a war crime as well, Sai Ai Pao, spokesperson of the Shan civil organizations, told CNI News.

" There are locals who ran away and came to the area where phone contact is available. We interviewed them. We surely asked them if it was true because we couldn't believe it. They answered when they spoke Shanni, they were beaten. Frankly speaking, even though Shanni nationalities really exist, that they exist in Banmauk and Pinlebu Townships were not recorded according to the immigration records of the previous successive governments. Again, if the current revolutionary forces restrict speaking Shanni anymore, these nationalities will die out. As a matter of fact, those who restrict speaking language of a race are guilty of genocide, according to global standards. So, we are warning them against their restriction. The world is pointing out the issue of Rohingya as a genocide. In fact, the Shanni nationalities in Sagaing Region and Kachin State also have been restricted like Rohingya." said Sai Ai Pao.

While seeing Homalin PDF

If someone who held a national registration card of Sagaing Region was found to be a Shan nationality at a checkpoint of the revolutionary forces, they would be more inspected. Moreover, if Shan songs were found on their phones, they would be beaten or their movement would be restricted, he said.

Many Shanni youths are serving in the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) while many other Shanni youths are serving in the People's Defense Force (PDF) in Homalin Township as well. He wanted them to coordinate and solve the killing of each other, Sai Htay Aung, chairman of the Tailai (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party, told CNI News.

Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA)

" I want to talk about a small incidence about it. A Shanni conference was held in Homalin. Five Shanni people who attended took photos of the conference. When they returned from the conference, they were checked on the way by the PDFs, their photos were found. The PDFs accused them of the supporters of the Tatmadaw, they were beaten to death. The killers are also Shanni people." he said.

Shanni civil organizations have asked the UN, international organizations, China, India, Thailand and ASEAN countries for help in relation to Shanni ethnic people whose human rights are being violated during the current military and political conflicts.

CNI News

12 December 2023

The Chinese government has issued arrest warrants for 10 people including U Bai Suocheng, former head of the Kokang Self-Administered Zone and retired Col.Wei San (b) Wei Huarn, former chairman of the supervisory committee of the border guard force-1006 of the zone. 

The Chinese government isuued arrest warrants for U Bai Suocheng, retired Col.Wei San, Bai Yingcang, Bai Yinglan, Wei Rong, Wei Qingsong, Liu Zhengxiang, Liu Jiguang, Liu Zhengmao, Xu Laofa, accusing them of committing telecom and online fraud.

Bai Suocheng, 72, is former chairman of the Kokang Self-Administered Zone and Bai Yingcang is a Chinese natonal registration card holder and the commander of the Kokang SAZ militia and the deputy head of the Department of Economic Planning and Administration.

Bai Yinglan was a Chinese national registration card holder and the chairman of the Xinbaili Group. Wei Huairen aka Col.Wei San was the chairman of the supervisory committee of the BGF-1006 of the Kokang SAZ.

Wei Rong, a Chinese national registration card holder, was the chairperson of the Henry Group and Wei Qingsong, a Chinese national registration card holder, member of the supervisory committee of the BGF-1006 of the Kokang SAZ.

Liu Zhengxiang was a member of the administration committee of the Kokang SAZ and also the chairman of Fulilai Group. Liu Jiguang, a Chinese national registration card holder, was the CEO of the Fulilai Group.

Liu Zhengmao was the general manager of the Fulilai Group and Xu Laofa, a Chinese national registration card holder, was the administer of the Jiazi Village Tract, Sixiang Township, the Kokang SAZ.