CNI News
17 September 2023

As the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) has been more active in Buthidaung and Maungdaw, Rakhine State, security organizations should taken action against it to prevent the public harm, said Ko Kyaw Lin Tun, founder of the Roma Time Organization, to CNI News.

While IDPs are not able to return their homes due to the battles between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (ULA/AA), ARSA has been more active starting from the western Rakhine State. So, it is worrisome for the security of local people, he said.

" The AA wants the Rakhine to develop and the Tatmadaw also thinks that all the land belongs to them. So, both of these organizations will have the matters like this to deal with. They dis operations in the past as well. But there's one thing worrisome. While they are looking for the ARSA, it is also important not to harm other communities, including Muslims. When they carry out clearance operations, it's important not to harm any ethnicities." said Ko Kyaw Lin Tun.

Myanmar Tatmadaw

One day after a Muslim man from Mi Gyanug Gaung Zwe Village in Buthidaung Township was arrested by the ARSA on 9th September, he was found dead reportedly.

In August, two Muslim men from San Pat Kone Village were arrested by the ARSA.

They have always pointed out that the ARSA is going in the direction of terrorism, said U Thein Tun Oo, director of the ThayNinGa Institute for Strategic Studies, to CNI News.

"If you ask AA about the ARSA, you will know more. We have always pointed out that ARSA is going in the direction of terrorism. What happened later was that ARSA wanted to cooperate with them. The ARSA think that they should be given a place. If you want to know the exact reason why the ARSA movement started arising, you'll have to ask the AA." he said.

An intersection in Rakhine State

After the ARSA forces fought against the 30 Myanmar border guard outposts on 26 August 2017, the battles between the Tatmadaw and the ARSA broke out until the end of 2018.

Again, the ARSA has been more active in Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships starting from August this year after which arrests and killings arose, said locals.

The Tatmadaw, the ULA/AA, the ARSA, the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) are being active in northern Rakhine State reportedly.

CNI News
17 September 2023

The National Unity Government announced 44 bank staff including the governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar as terrorists, accusing they are financially supporting the Tatmadaw's operations on 14 September 2023.

The staff that the NUG has designated as terrorists contain Central Bank of Myanmar Governor Daw Than Than Swe, vice governor U Zaw Myint Naing, vice governor Dr.Lin Aung, Permanent Secretary U Aung Aung, Director Generals, Deputy Director Generals and Directors.

The Central Bank has not implemented a monetary policy to stabilize commodity prices, but has instead been the main financier of the State Administration ( origin-terrorist group) by printing a lot of local currency (Myanmar Kyat). As a result, the people are suffering from higher commodity prices due to excessive monetary inflation, which were mentioned in the NUG's statement.

Seeing the list of people in the NUG statement

The Central Bank has used foreign currencies that must be managed on behalf of the public to buy weapons to kill civilians from abroad including jet fuel for the SAC (origin-military council) and misused the public funds, said in the statement.

For committing above-mentioned actions, 44 staff including Central Bank Governor have been designated as terrorists, the NUG announced.  

The NUG's statement may have no effect in practice because it has no practical authority, pointed out the political circles.

CNI News
18 September 2023

As cargo water vehicles plying between Monywa/Mandalay and Homlin often suspend due to the instability in the area, there is a shortage of commodities in Homalin and commodity prices are skyrocketing, said Homalin residents.

At present, because water vehicles are re-running, although commodity prices are falling again, when the water vehicles suspended, commodity prices went up three times and in August an egg was paid up to 1,500 kyats, said Ma Shwe Yi Aye, a Homalin resident, to CNI News.

" Commodity prices are quite high. Fuel prices are greatly rising. One litre is paid 6,000 kyats. Last month, we had to pay 1,500 kyats for an egg. But now only when fast ships re-enter, three eggs are paid one thousand kyats. When the cars and ships don't enter, the prices go up three times. When they re-enter, the prices fall a little. Last month, there was a complete shortage of eggs. If you wanted to buy an egg for 1,500 kyats, you couldn't find any place that sells eggs. Even when the gasoline went up till 7,500 kyats per litre, there was no one to sell it. The shops had been closed." she said.

Waterways and roads that transport goods to Homalin city have been frequently closed  due to the battles breaking out along the way and motor roads have been closed for one month or so reportedly. Although fast ships that run from Monywa to Homalin re-ran a few days ago, they would be suspended for five days, said Homalin residents.

The fast ships running between Monywa and Homalin tend to suspend 15 days a month reportedly.

Because waterways have been closed at present, she would have to wait for the time when the waterways are re-open to take goods that had been bought to sell them again, said Nam Kham who has opened a store in Nam Daw Village, to CNI News.

" You can't make money easily. If you invested a lot, you would make a lot of profit. When freight charges, tricycle fees, and the gate fees are paid, the prices go up a bit. We have to buy a thing. We had to pay 2,500 kyats at 3,000 kyats now. We sell a thing at 3,500 kyats that was bought at 3,000 kyats. The motor boats suspend for about 10 days, commodities don't arrive here quite soon. The prices of the goods left go up any more. Now the motor boats will be suspended for five days. We have goods that were previously bought. The new goods we have bought will be sent to us in the next few days. I heard so." said Nam Kham.  

Rather than in Homalin, the villages in the township are suffering from higher prices. In August, there was a shortage of commodities in the villages and the price of an egg was up to 2,000 kyats.

In the same way, the price of CP chicken was 40,000 to 60,000 kyats per viss (1 viss=3.6lb) reportedly. Moreover, In Homalin Township, where private household meters are being used, although one unit of meter was paid 2,000 kyats, now the price has been 2,110 kyats, said locals.

CNI News
17 September 2023

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) met with Thai Air Chief Marshal, Alongkorn Vannarot in Naypyidaw on 15 September 2023 They discussed about friendship, developments and cooperation between the two armies, which the SAC reported.

And then, cooperation between Myanmar Air Force and Thai Air Force, situations relating to yearly high-level committee (HLC) meeting between the two armies and yearly Thai-Myanmar Regional Border Committee (RBC), matters relating to improvement of friendship between the two countries and matters related to the friendship tours were discussed as well reportedly.

Thai Air Chief Marshal attended the 20th ASEAN Air Force Chiefs Meeting hosted by Myanmar on 14 September 2023 and met with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 15th September.

Currently battles are severely breaking out between the Tatmadaw and revolutionary forces in Kayah and Kayin States bordering with Thailand. Due to the armed conflicts, trade routes were damaged and Thai-Myanmar friendship bridges were also bombed.

CNI News
16 September 2023

U Than Swe, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State Administration Council, and  Mr Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister met and discussed for the defense and security cooperation in the Russian Federation on 14 September 2023.

The delegation led by U Than Swe went to the Russian Federation at the invitation of the Russian Foreign Minister and a bilateral discussion was held at the Russian Foreign Ministry on 14 September 2023.

Officials from the two countries discussed about opening Myanmar consulate general offices in St.Petersburg and Novosibirsk for the close cooperation between the two foreign ministries, which the SAC reported.

And then, the cooperation in the sectors such as defense, security, tourism, interaction between the people of the two countries, economy, trade, banking industry, energy, industry, education and information were discussed reportedly.

" Myanmar profoundly appreciates to the Russian Federation for its principled position, understanding and consistent support towards Myanmar on the international front, especially at the United Nations." said U Than Swe, Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister. And then the two foreign ministers held a joint press conference.

Currently, battles between the Tatmadaw and revolutionary forces are breaking out in Sagaing, Magway, Bago, Tanintharyi Regions, Chin, Kayin, Kayah, Kachin and Shan States.

CNI News
16 September 2023

The Karen National Union (KNU) has not officially announced that the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) is void and KNU would find a solution for the territorial stability and internal peace through political means, said in a statement released by Saw Aung Maw Ei, chairman of the KNU's Pa-an District and Brigade 7 on 14th September.

KNU has already put its political aims and goals, and attitude for building a democratic federal union in the NCA, said in the statement.

" As the KNU's Brigade 7 Pa-an District, KNU has not officially announced that NCA is void and it will carry out to find a solution through political means on the basis of the NCA for the territorial stability and internal peace, looking ahead to the public interest." said Saw Aung Maw Ei in the statement.

After that, the NCA arose from the KNU's ceaseless demand to be able to solve the political problem through political means and it was firmly signed before the local and international witnesses said in the statement released by chairman of Brigade 7 Pa-an District.

The reason why there was fight between the KNU and the government was because the political problem was not solved by political means, but by military means and when finding a solution based on 70 years of civil wars, it was found that solving the political problem by political means was the best decision which have been exactly mentioned in the course, process and prior process of the KNU Congress for the ceasefire and internal peace, said in the statement.

A statement released by Saw Aung Maw Aye, chairman of the KNU's Brigade 7 Pa-an District

The NCA was signed by the KNU, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), KNU/KNLA-Peace Council, the All Burma Students Democratic Front and the Chin National Front (CNF) on 15th October 2015.

Pado Sawta Do Hmu, general secretary of the KNU, said that the NCA had been void at a press conference held in August 2023.  

CNI News
16 September 2023

There are discussions among the political community what impacts on politics and diplomatic affairs could arise from the meeting of ASEAN air force chiefs.

The meeting was attended by air force chiefs from Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam and air force chiefs from the Philippines and Singapore discussed by sending video messages, which the State Administration Council reported on 13th September.

There were reviews whether the meeting could impact on the diplomatic competition between the State Administration and the National Unity Government.

The organization that currently holds the three powers of Myanmar is the country's government and the SAC has an advantage in the diplomatic affairs, said U Thein Tun Oo from the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, to CNI News.

ASEAN Air Force Chiefs Meeting was being held on 13th September 2023

" That is clear. The organization that works, holding three powers - administration, legislation and judiciary is a government, existing government, in other words, an  official government. It is no match for an organization that cannot open an office systematically and that is pleased with itself to be met with some countries. The SAC has had an advantage from the very beginning. May be some people think that the SAC doesn't have an advantage." said U Thein Tun Oo.

General Tun Aung, the SAC's Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force had a collective meeting with Air Force Chiefs of ASEAN members and met with them individually on 13th September, 2023, said in the statement released by the SAC.

The Air Force Chiefs from Malaysia and Indonesia did not attend the meeting and did not send the video messages reportedly.

Currently, ASEAN was making preparations to solve the Myanmar issue, said Mahn Aung Pyi Soe from the Karen National Democratic Party, to CNI News.

General Tun Aung seen on 13th September, 2023

" ASEAN is making preparations to solve the Myanmar issue. As a military meeting was held here in Myanmar, the SAC might have a little improvement in its diplomatic affairs. Indonesia and Malaysia are the countries that didn't like our country since before. That's why they didn't attend the meeting. The SAC was successful in the diplomatic affairs to an extent, I think." he said.

As a result of the political landscape that changed after 1st February 2021, Myanmar is facing with various crises. Although ASEAN agreed to the five-point consensus to solve the political crisis of Myanmar, the consensus has not been able to be implemented.

Myanmar attendance in the ASEAN meetings has been restricted.

On the other hand, most ASEAN members attended the 20th ASEAN Air Force Chiefs Meeting hosted by Myanmar.

CNI News

15 September 2023

The number of Myanmar nationals who enter the Chinese side with one-time use Temporary Border Pass (TBP) daily is up to 700, said U Htay, chairman of the Humanitarian Aid Delivery Network, to CNI news agency. 

Because people from Myanmar side were allowed to enter the Chinese side with TBP cards that are seven days valid starting from  4th September, the number of people from the Myanmar side who had entered the Chinese side has been over 8,000 to date reportedly.

Although the TBP card is given for travelling, Myanmar nationals go to work in the Chinese side. So, the number of people who are waiting to get the TBP cards is almost 10,000, said U Htay. 

while seeing Myanmar citizens at the Muse border gate

"  Passport book and TBP are not given for job, but for visiting and doing business. We still don't know how many people have been arrested. If the employers guarantee, these Myanmar people can work there. When they need labor force, they probably weigh their law. When the labors have increased now, a worker who was paid 3,000 in the past is paid only 1,500 to 2,000 yuans now. Although there is a market for skilled workers, it is not easy for ordinary workers. We don't want Myanmar people to go there like that. If they stay at guesthouses or hotels or rented houses, they will report the guest list at the ward and police station concerned. They will report the guest list in Chinese." he said.

When applying for the TBP, it is mainly necessary to have an original citizen registration card. Because the kind of national registration card has not been limited, anyone of Myanmar nationals holding citizen registration card can apply for TBP after giving not more than 2,000 kyats reportedly.

Because Myanmar people holding TBP cards are allowed to enter the Chinese side, some people working in Laukkai entered China and are changing their workplaces, said business people.

while seeing Myanmar citizens at the Muse border gate

" For the time being, there are not many travelers in Laukkai. As foreigners are not allowed to come there, job opportunities have decreased. Some workers there go to Muse. Many Myanmar workers have arrived at the Muse gate to work at Ruili and Kyel Gaung. And Many workers from Laukkai also are going to Muse to work in the Chinese side with the TBP cards. Myanmar people enter the Chinese side with the TBP cards and after seven days, they return and renew the cards." said U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Northern Shan State Hotel Entrepreneurs Association.

Most of Myanmar people have to apply for the TBP card only at Nandaw Gate and Sinphyu and truck drivers and their helpers must apply at Man Wein Gate.

Although entering with the TBP cards has been allowed from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., only 300 people can be sent from one gate reportedly.

Applicants' hands are being marked with stamp to prevent selling tokens from brokers reportedly. If the TBP cards were issued from Mant Hero, Kyin San Kyawt and Pan Sai gates, it would be more convenient, which people suggested.

CNI News

15 September 2023

The Kalay-Tamu road that could not used for three months due to territorial instabilities as a result of battles that took place in Sagaing Region, after which it could be used again this week, said Tamu residents. 

Although the road could be re-used, the security is not still in a safe situation, and the amount of money paid for toll gate is much reportedly. Moreover, due to high transportation costs, commodity prices have gone double higher than before, said Ko Ye Lin Aung, a Tamu resident, to CNI News.

"The security is not reliably safe for the time being. But the road has been re-opened. The tolls are quite much. We have to pay much more money for transportation charges because commodities are carried by motorcycles. You have to pay 30,000 or 40,000 kyats for transportation charge of a bag of rice. So, the rice prices have gone three times higher. There is no out of stock. But commodity prices have gone double higher." he said.

The Kalay-Tamu Road

Although the Kalay-Tamu road has been reopened, locals are worried that the road will be closed again because territorial stability has not been reliable. 

During the period when the road was closed, Tamu residents found it difficult to receive proper medical treatment and but now because the road has been reopened, it has been convenient for them, said U Khin Maung Win, a trader from Tamu, to CNI News.

" To reopen the road is good for Tamu residents. They found it difficult to go or come for their health before the road is reopened. The number of physicians is not sufficient in Tamu. Beause the road is reopened, it has been convenient for Tamu residents." he said. 

During the time when the road was closed, commodities were carried through other routes. Because these routes could not used by trucks, commodities were carried by motorcycles, which made the transportation charges were much more. So, commodity prices also went up greatly reportedly.  

In Tamu, the current rice price is about 150,000 kyats per bag and the price of diesel or gasoline is about 20,000 kyats per gallon, said U Khin Maung Win. 

Nam Phar Lon Market in Tamu

" Here in Tamu, the price of Ayermin rice was 140,000 to 150,000 kyats per bag not very long ago. The price of gasoline or diesel was about 20,000 kyats per gallon or above 20,000 kyats sometimes. The price of peanut oil was about 200,000 kyats for ten viss ( 1 viss= 3.6 lb) and palm oil, over 100,000 kyats." said U Khin Maung Win to CNI News.

Although the Kalay-Tamu Road has been reopened, the trade between Tamu and India has not been able to be conducted due to racial riots taking place in India reportedly. 

The Kalay-Tamu road can be used from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and it can be convenient for ones who take citizen registration cards with them when they use the road, said Tamu residents.