CNI News
January 15, 2024

The Kuki National Army (KNA) arrested and killed four Shanni people who returned from attending to the funeral of an old Shanni woman, an IDP, on 13th January, said locals.

Due to the battles breaking out near the India-Myanmar border, Shanni people fled to San Khat Law Village that has been built on the India-Myanmar border line.

" The Kuki-Chin force arrested and killed four Shanni men who returned from attending the funeral of an old woman, an IDP. It's not clear why. Moreover, in November 2023, the Kuki Force arrested and killed 37 Shanni people. Among them were included all the family members including children." said a resident of Thanan Village.

While seeing Shanni IDPs from Thanan Village

Four residents of Thanan Village around 40 years of age - Say Myo Aung, Say Phoe Too, Say Phoe Ni and Say San Myint- they were arrested and killed by the Kuki Force on the way back from attending to a funeral of an old Shanni woman, an IDP. The Kuki force arrested and killed 37 Shanni people on 24th November 2023.

Thanan Village is included in Tamu Township, Sagaing Region and the Tamu People's Defense Force, the KNA/KNO, the Tatmadaw and the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) have been active militarily in that township.

The battles break out every so often between the Tatmadaw and PDF/KNA joint forces in the township.

CNI News
13 January 2024

The basic foodstuff which arrived in Sittwe, Rakhine State will be sold to the people at reasonable prices, said the Office of the Government of Rakhine State.

The MV MoonLight Ship which carried about 4,000 tons of a variety of goods including gasoline, palm oil, chilli, onion, basic foodstuff and medicines arrived in Sittwe 9th January with the arrangement of the Rakhine State government.

There are the territory controlled by the Tatmadaw and the territory controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State. It was less likely that The basic foodstuff that has arrived in Sittwe would be sold to the people outside Sittwe City, Ko Zaw Tun, a resident of Mrauk U, told CNI News.

" It will be less likely that these basic foodstuffs will reach other towns except for Sittwe. In fact, if they want the people to be convenient, all the roads and waterways must be re-opened. They seem to want to show that the people only in the places that they have already controlled are convenient. The military council doesn't seem to want to give the foodstuff to other places." he said.

While the motorcycles are waiting in line to get the foodstuff and fuel that recently arrived in Rakhine State

Although CNI News asked U Hla Thein, spokesperson of the state government, how the basic foodstuff arrived on 9th January, he gave no answer.

However, Chief Minister of Rakhine State U Htain Lin said at a meeting held on 8th January that the goods would be directly delivered into the hands of consumers. Moreover, fuel would be systematically sold in order that it could be used for long to an extent, he added.

The Directorate of Road Transport was selling fuel with the quota system in Sittwe, Daw Khin Myo, a resident of Sittwe, told CNI News.

 While seeing the Government of Rakhine State

" I heard that 92/95 gasoline will be sold two litre per week to licensed motorcycles and five litres per week to the three-wheel motorcycles. At present, I heard that so many people are waiting in line at the Directorate of Road Transport. If the products are distributed to the consumers without letting a lot of products arrive in the hands of traders, we may reach the normal situation, I think." she said.

The officials from the Rakhine State Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Rakhine State Oil Mill Entrepreneurs Association, the Rakhine State Fuel Entrepreneurs Association and the Sittwe Myoma Market Committee have discussed how to sell currently arrived products to consumers at lower prices and to import any more of products.

The battles have been breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) starting from 13th November 2023 and all the roads and waterways in Rakhine State have been closed by the SAC for about two months.

CNI News

12 January 2024

Tamu locals are finding it difficult to go to Moreh in order to sell goods due to the ongoing communal conflict in Manipur Province, India, according to Tamu locals. 

They go to Moreh in order to sell regionally produced goods and consumer goods and import Indian textiles from Moreh. 

However, at present, Indian army is strictly checking in Moreh and although it is convenient for those who can speak Indian language, ordinary Tamu locals are finding it difficult, Ko Min Ko who is buying and selling goods in Tamu Town and Moreh Town, told CNI news agency.

" For the time being, it's convenient for Chin and Hindi people who live in both Moreh and Myanmar. They can speak Indian language. Ordinary Myanmar people are not okay. Basic workers in Tamu are in trouble. Some go to Moreh to sell goods, taking risk. Some buy vegetables in Tamu and go to IDP villages and sell them. Almost everyone gets into trouble." he said.

While people are going and coming on the Tamu-Moreh border crossing bridge

The Tamu-Moreh border gate is the main path that is used to export Myanmar goods to India. 70 percent of Tamu locals are depending on the Tamu-Moreh border trade and a lot of people are crossing the border daily. Because Tamu locals trade with Moreh and they also do freight, they are finding it difficult at present reportedly.

Moreover, because of difficult transportation, Tamu residents can only go to Moreh and sell goods every three days, Ko Ye Lin Aung, a Tamu resident, told CNI News.

" We can't go to Moreh everyday. The goods from Kalay Town, from Mountains and from Chin mountains can't reach here everyday because the roads have been closed. Only when groceries and vegetables reach, we can go to Moreh every three days. For the time being, it's not possible any more for us to stay in Moreh temporarily." he said.

Because the battles are breaking out along the Kalay-Tamu road, the trade routes have been blocked. So, commodity prices are going up in Tamu and it is difficult to buy some goods. Moreover, construction work and transportation business also have been suspended reportedly.

When the battles broke out in Tamu in the past, some Myanmar people entered India as IDPs. Now India are sending them back to Myanmar.

CNI News

12 January 2024

The current Myanmar government was trying for the national peace and stability, and national reconciliation, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), while meeting with the ASEAN Special Envoy Mr. Alounkeo Kittikhoun from Laos, rotating chairman of the ASEAN. 

Mr. Kittikhoun came to Myanmar and met and discussed with Sr.Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the SAC, Myanmar FM U Than Swe, the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) Chairman Lt-Gen Yar Pyae including the seven NCA (the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement) signatories on 10th January 2024.

" Due to the occurrence of vote fraud in the 2020 multi-party democratic general election, the SAC had to take the responsibilities of the State. Armed terrorist attacks without a political solution to political differences arose. The SAC was trying for the national peace and stability, and national reconciliation." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

However, he did not reveal the details of what the SAC was doing for the national reconciliation. He explained that the Tatmadaw was trying hard to enable the country to walk firmly on the path of multi-party democracy and the SAC was carrying out for the State peace and development after laying down the five point roadmap.

The ASEAN Special Envoy is to meet with political parties on 12th January. The SAC's six month extension for the state of emergency will expire on 31st January and it will reshuffle the cabinet on that day.

Some EAOs have suggested Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing to form a transitional government or an interim government.However, they did not reveal which individuals should be included in the transitional government.

CNI News

12 January 2024

India government is planning to enable the citizens from both countries cross the border and carrying out to allow the citizens to pass with cross-border visa, said residents of Tamu, a Myanmar border town. 

At present, residents of Tamu illegally cross the border and go to Moreh, an Indian border town, to sell goods but doing so is with mutual understanding only.

However, Myanmar people tend to be beaten when conflicts take place. If cross-border visas were issued, it would be necessary to guarantee regional stability, Ko Min Ko, a Tamu resident who goes to Moreh to buy and sell goods, told CNI News.

Nan Phar Lone Market in Tamu near the India-Myanmar border

"If the cross-border visas are to be issued accurately, it will be peaceful on their side, if they have insurance, we'll have a little more opportunity than we have now. If not so, it will be nothing more than to cost us. When it's stable on their side, they allow us to sell goods. When they are in need of food, they allow Myanmar people to sell goods. If there's a bad problem among them, Myanmar people would be beaten and expelled. At a time like that, whether you have the visa or not might not be important. Because they are nice only when they need us, whether you have the visa or not won't make any difference, I think.” he Said.

According to the free movement program between the Manipur Province and Myanmar, part of the Look East policy of the government of India, the citizens on one side can enter the other side until the places that are 16 kilometers away from the border line. 

However, due to the current racial conflict, for the stability of the border area, the program will be suspended. If the program was suspended, Tamu residents who go to Moreh to sell goods might become jobless, said locals.

India-Myanmar cross-border gate

If the cross-border visas were issued by India, it could be difficult for basic workers, Ko Ye Lin Aung, a Tamu resident, told CNI News.

" If the visas were issued, it wouldn't be convenient, I think because almost everybody would have to apply for the visa. But basic workers can't afford. It would help us a lot if we were allowed to stay in Moreh for a while like before." he said.

Tamu residents can go to Moreh to sell goods twice a week at present and as going like that is kind of illegal, if the Indian soldiers saw them, they would be beaten reportedly.

Myanmar citizens in Tamu go and sell locally produced bitter bean, mustard and consumer goods coming from China to the Indian citizens in Moreh. Because it is difficult to go and sell every day at present, the commodities' prices are declining and farmers are making a loss.

CNI News

12 January 2024

The position of National Security Adviser given to the Minister of Interior Lt-Gen Yar Pyae was transferred to General Moe Aung, the State Administration Council (SAC) reported on 8th January 2024. 

Lt-Gen Yar Pyae has still taken many responsibilities as a member of the SAC, as the Minister for Home Affairs and as the chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC).

General Moe Aung, who was appointed as a replacement for Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, was the Navy Chief, and Chief of Staff (Navy) Lt- Gen Zwe Win Myint was promoted to the position of Chief of Defense Staff (Navy). General Moe Aung will serve as the National Security Advisor and as the Union Minister for the Office (4) of the Chairman of the SAC.

U Ko Ko Hlaing has been appointed as the Union Minister for the Office (1) of the Chairman of the SAC and U Aung Naing Oo for the Office (2), the SAC reported on 8th January 2024.

CNI News

12 January 2024

Myanmar's 2023 export value from border trade was reduced than 2022 by several hundred US dollars in 2022, according to the statistics of the Ministry of Commerce. 

Although Myanmar's export value through border trade with China, Thailand, Bangladesh and India was more than 4,5000 million dollars in 2022, export value of Myanmar through border trade in 2023 was over 4,100 million dollars only. Export value through border trade was reduced by 400 million dollars.

Due to the devaluation of export value like that, foreign currency earnings and the economy of the country may be affected, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

" Export is more important in a situation like this. Export is important in a normal situation. According to theory, export is the engine of growth. Generally, there are two economic policies. One is export promotion and the other is import substitution. Import substitution is just to protect dollars from leaving for foreign countries, but doesn't mean getting foreign currencies. Export is more important. If a country can't export, it won't be convenient for its economy. Only if the country exports, can it get dollars. If the export continues to decrease, the dollar crisis will be worse." said U Htay Aung Kyi.

While trucks are stranded

Dollars could be received mainly from export only and foreign investments could not be dependable at present, said economic analysts. 

In the same way, asking expatriate citizens to pay the income tax depends on the participation by everyone concerned and if the export was affected, the country's economy would be affected a lot, they pointed out.

The decline in Myanmar's exports is not only due to unrest at the border areas but also due to some activities restricted by the Central Bank, pointed out economic analysts.

In order to promote exporting, if the Central Bank provided service to the relaxations required by business sectors and necessary renewals, it would be better, U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst, told CNI News.

" Regarding the export policy, there must be rules and regulations that are unnecessarily strict. Recently, there have been proposals submitted by some fisheries. When they export fish, The cash in/out takes more than 45 days. In a situation like this, because you have to deposit designated export earnings within 30 days, fish exporters can't export." he said.

While trucks are burning

The amount of Myanmar's export value that was reduced from the border trade in 2023 was 157 million dollars from the China-Myanmar border trade, 178 million dollars from the Thailand-Myanmar border trade, over 9 million dollars from the Bangladesh-Myanmar border trade and over 5 million dollars from the India-Myanmar border trade.

There were fewer battles along the border trade in 2022 and if battles broke out, it didn't take long. So, they didn't impact the border trade. However, in 2023, armed conflicts were severely breaking out along the border trade routes and it did affect the border trade, they pointed out.

Because the regular channels that were used for the border trade in the past cannot be used due to territorial instabilities, although new channels have been allowed to use, they cost a lot more, said traders.

CNI News

10 January 2024

The Tatmadaw would not kind of allow Lashio to be captured, U Thet Zaw, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News. 

In Lashio, there is an Air Force Base as well as a regional military headquarters.

" The Tatmadaw won't allow Lashio to be captured. In Lashio, there is an Air Force Base as well as a regional military headquarters. But I still don't know how they will defense. I haven't heard Kutkai has been captured. I heard that they had to give Laukkai as a compromise. But I don't know about it exactly. They don't release news exactly as well. Chinese mediation is a bit important. And ASEAN comes and negotiates. I don't think it will be very effective." said U Thet Zaw to CNI News.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA,TNLA and AA) launched Operation-1027 on 27th October, 2023 in the northern part of Shan State and was able to capture most of the towns including Chin Shwe Haw, Kunlong, Kon Kyan, Namkham, Mang Ton, Nangsan, Laukkai and Namtu in the northern part of Shan State and has controlled the China-Myanmar border trade route.

The current problem arose because the political problem was not solved by political means, but now it was too late to solve the political problem with political means, U Kyi Myint, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" Rather than whether having too much or too little power, tactics and public support is important as well. The main is public desire. The Tatmadaw forces have surrendered by the hundred in Rakhine State. Soldiers' families also have difficulties in their livelihood. Prices have risen sharply. Soldiers' wives find it difficult to make ends meet. In fact, solving the political problem by military means was wrong. But now it's too late to solve the political problem by political means. In my opinion, They (MNDAA, TNLA and AA) will capture (Lashio) if they can." he said.

Lashio is the capital of northern Shan State and very important to the China-Myanmar border trade. Moreover, the Tatmadaw's Northeastern Command is located in Lashio and the command is mainly responsible for defense, security and military affairs of the regions in northern Shan State.

CNI News

10 January 2024

Myanmar's Navy Chief Admiral Moe Aung, commander of the Eastern Command and some division commanders were transferred, according to the sources from the military headquarters in Naypyidaw. 

Admiral Moe Aung was transferred to the post of Advisor for National Security Affairs.

Admiral Moe Aung has been replaced with Chief of Staff (Navy) Lieutenant General Zwe Win Myint. In the same way, Commander of the Taunggyi City-based Eastern Command Major General Myo Min Tun was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and he has been replaced with Major General Zaw Min Lat, rector of the National Defense University.

The Director of the Office of the Directorate of Security-related Printing Works that prints and publishes money paper and lottery tickets was transferred to the reserve force and the director has been replaced with the Deputy Director reportedly.

Moreover, Deputy Commander of the 22nd Division Col.Kyaw Soe Lin has been transferred to the post of Commander of the Division (66) and Deputy Commander of the Operations Command Headquarters (8) has been transferred to the post of Commander of the Division (55), according to people close to the Naypyidaw military headquarters.