CNI News

7 December 2024

In solving the current conflicts breaking out in Rakhine State, there must not problems among Rakhine organizations, the chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) Saw Mya Raza Lin told CNI News. 

Rakhine State had sensitive history regarding race and religion and at present military conflicts are severe. Rakhine organizations needed generosity, she said.

" We haven't seen what organization will lead. Many Rakhine organizations are carrying out for the sake of Rakhine State what they can. We can't say what organization will lead. But sometime in the future, we must talk about the case regarding the entire nationality. So, Rakhine organizations must not clash one another. We need to be generous." she said.

China wanted to cooperate with international community in solving the Rakhine crisis and would participate in a constructive attitude, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning at the regular press conference held in Beijing on November 28, 2024.

While seeing a junction in Rakhine State

Because military conflicts are severe in Rakhine State, Rakhine people are getting into trouble. 

Asking Bengali people to do a military job and arming them in Rakhine State were creating racial and religious conflicts kind of, coordinator of the Arakan National Policy Coordination Committee (ANPCC) U Khin Maung Tun told CNI News.

" Currently, the people in Rakhine State are getting into trouble. The army of Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing is trying to re-capture the Rakhine region without taking anything into account or without considering it could destroy the interests of the people. And they have created racial and religious conflicts. We also did so before." he said.

While seeing those who were protesting against the AA

At present, battles are severely breaking out between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar Tatmadaw and there have been many IDPs.

Moreover, houses, schools, monasteries, religious buildings, bazaars, roads and bridges were destroyed and the people in Rakhine State are facing shortages of food, medicine and fuel oil.

In the same way, the Bengali issue that took place in 2017 has not been able to be solved as yet.

CNI News

6 December 2024

Paddy fields were sunk in the last rainfed paddy cultivation season due to Yagi storm and the yield was low. 

So, acres of Summer paddy cultivation have become more than last year and there might be three million acres of paddy in the coming Summer paddy cultivation season, according to farmers, estimated the Myanmar Rice Federation.

Although there are normally 17 lakh acres of Summer paddy cultivation each year in Ayeyarwady Region, there might be 20 lakh acres this year;  because rainfed paddy fields were sunk and the current price of paddy is higher, farmers are growing Summer paddy on the farms that were not grown, former chairman of the Farmers Development Association U Thein Aung told CNI News.

"Paddy is grown again on the places where paddy fields were sunk during the rainy season. Summer paddy is grown in the regions where there are a lot of virgin land. Summer paddy is grown more than previous years. The current price of paddy is at least 20 lakh per 100 baskets. And paddy is grown on the places where pulses plantations were destroyed as well. Normally there are 17 lakh acres of Summer paddy cultivation each year, but there might be until 20 lakh acres this year." he said.

While paddy is being threshed

There were 2.45 million acres of Summer paddy cultivation in 2015-16 fiscal year and the cultivation has increased yearly and in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, there might be until three million, according to the MRF.

However, because the prices of fuel oil and fertilizer are higher and the cost for hiring workers was higher as well than last year, the Summer paddy cultivation cost might increase until 300,000 kyats per acre, U Aye Win, a paddy farmer from Danuphyu Township, Ayeyarwady Region, told CNI News.

" Daily wages of a worker were just 10,000 kyats before in growing Summer paddy and but at present, daily wages are 15,000 kyats. The price of diesel was five or six lakh kyats per barrel before. The price of Premium Diesel is about 800,000 kyats this year. The price of Urea fertilizer was 75,000 or 80,000 kyats last year. But this year, the price is over 100,000 kyats. So, in comparison with last year, the cost probably will increase about 300,000 kyats per acre." he said.

Summer paddy is grown most in Ayeyarwady Region where there are 1.7 million acres of cultivation each year, and 250,000 acres of cultivation, in Yangon Region and 50,000 acres in Mandalay Region and over 40,000 acres in Mon State and Summer paddy is grown in other States and Regions as well.

CNI News

6 December 2024

Whether The International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan's request for an arrest warrant for the chairman of the State Administration Council, Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, for alleged crimes against humanity is a push for C in C to go on gripping power is being questioned by military and political analysts.

Chief prosecutor of the ICC, Karim Khan applied to the ICC Court to issue an arrest warrant for Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, the chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) on 27th November. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing might continue to keep a tight grip on power, U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing chief prosecutor of the ICC Karim Khan

" To tell you frankly what I have understood, he will keep a tight grip on power until he dies or faces capital punishment. We the people will try to bring him down until we die. No matter how he changes uniform or China supports him, we'll bring him down." he said.

“Myanmar is not a member of the ICC and has never recognized the statements of the ICC. Myanmar has been practicing a free, active and neutral foreign policy in its dealings with countries in the region and the world, and has been practicing the principle of peaceful coexistence among countries,” reported the SAC.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing could continue to wage battles, not depending on whether the ICC would issue an arrest warrant for him, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing the judges of the ICC and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

" No matter whether the ICC issue an arrest warrant for him or not, he has no alternative but to put pressure on the public more, using terrorist methods. They will kill people, set fire on houses, and bomb. And they are creating riots regarding nationalism. The SAC is creating to make revolutionary organizations fall apart. He'll go on doing these things. It's do or die for him. He has no alternatives." she said.

The ICC's pressure has made him believe that he needed to win security guarantee and he will keep a tight grip on power in a civilian or military power, pointed out some political analysts.

Sr. Gen Min Aung Hlaing has said the State power will be handed over the winning party in the election that will be held in 2025.

CNI News

6 December 2024

Although China might continue to play both the Myanmar Tatmadaw and EAOs, it would lean towards the Myanmar Tatmadaw, Swedish veteran journalist and Myanmar issue analyst, Bertil Lintner said. 

He answered the above in the interview with Delta News Agency that was broadcast on December 4.

" China will go on playing both sides - revolutionary forces and the military council. But it will lean towards the military council more. China is not interested in the change of government in Myanmar. It wants ceasefire and peace talks that it can manipulate with the carrot and stick system." said Bertil Lintner.

The National Unity Government (NUG) that was making attempts to seek power after overthrowing the SAC was not able to do anything except for letting world countries know the situation of Myanmar. 

While seeing leader of the MNDAA Peng Daxun

He didn't see the NUG as a player in the relation between the SAC and China, he said.

" China is the only external force that is interested in decisive intervention in the domestic affairs of Myanmar and it has been shown by the latest developments. No other country has as much contact with both revolutionary forces and EAOs as China." said Bertil Lintner.

China has close relations with the MNDAA and the TNLA fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw and provided assistance to Operation-1027 that was launched on October 27, 2023.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was studying a Chinese drone factory

And then the diplomatic relation between the SAC and China was tense. China is urging the MNDAA and the TNLA to cease battles and to hold peace talks and putting pressure on them by closing border trade gates in order that diplomatic relations could be good again.

So, the TNLA and the MNDAA have released their unilateral ceasefires in China's brokered peace efforts. 

On the other hand, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing went to China from 5th to 10th November and met with leaders of Yunnan Province including Chinese PM Li Chang and discussed matters regarding Myanmar issue, peace, trade and election.

Moreover, the chairman of the SAC went and studied drone factories in China and bought some drones from China and the Myanmar Tatmadaw is using Chinese drones more in the military operations.

CNI News

5 December 2024

As the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army has announced the unilateral ceasefire, China should tell the State Administration Council to cease fire, political commentators told CNI News. 

The MNDAA announced it would politically discuss at the Chinese mediation and start the unilateral ceasefire from 3rd December on. 

Moreover, it would not start fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Myanmar Tatmadaw would have to cease air and ground attacks, which the MNDAA has demanded. 

What the MNDAA demanded is like requesting China to put pressure on the SAC to cease fire so that it would be just and fair, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News.

" Chinese FM Wang Yi has said that China would relate with all the stakeholders fairly when the discussion and ceasefire are conducted. So, the MNDAA seems to want to tell China that if it is asked to cease fire, the SAC should be asked to do like this so that it will be just and fair."

While seeing the Kokang force has captured the Northeast Command

If the SAC wanted to discuss with the MNDAA, the MNDAA would send a high-level delegate and it had hoped that conflicts and disagreements could be solved with the political means, but it would maintain the self-defense, said in the statement.

As the SAC has lost many territories in northern Shan State, it might not accede to requests to cease offensives, pointed out military and political commentators. Moreover, new facts were not included in the statement of the MNDAA and it was the same as its previous statements. 

That the MNDAA released the statement was likely because the SAC has not ceased fire yet, U Khun Sai who took part in the peace process told CNI News.

" The state doesn't seem to contain any new facts. But it's likely because the SAC hasn't ceased fire. It hasn't been convenient although the statements are being released by the MNDAA and the TNLA. China needs to tell the SAC to cease fire. But I think China has already told the SAC. It seems to be waiting for the SAC's response." he said.

While the Kokang force has controlled Lashio

The similar statement was released by the TNLA before the MNDAA did and the same point, self-defense, was included in both statements. 

So, if the SAC launched offensives, they would defense.

China is putting pressure on organizations concerned to cease fire, and the MNDAA and the TNLA said that they accepted the China's mediation.

With the leadership of the MNDAA and the TNLA, the AA, the PDFs, then-1027 MNDAA and the TNLA launched Operation-1027 in northern Shan State on 27h October 2023 and as the second part, the operation was launched in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region in June, 2024.

During Operation-1027, the SAC lost control of Mogok, Momeik, Thabeikkyin, Sintku, Madaya, Lashio, Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Thibaw, Kutkai, Theinni, Namkham, Namtu, Mong Ngor, Mangtong, Nansang, Chin Shwe Haw, Phaungsai, Kon Kyan, Laukkai and Monko Townships.

CNI News

5 December 2024

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) would send a high-level delegate to discuss with the State Administration Council (SAC), it announced on the night of 3rd December 2024. 

The MNDAA would cease fire where its troops were starting from 3rd December and it would not launch offensives against the Myanmar Tatmadaw; under the Chinese mediation efforts, it hoped that issues concerned including Lashio could be solved with dialogue means, said in the statement.

With the Chinese brokered peace efforts, it would actively cooperate, reported the MNDAA. 

" The MNDAA will send a high-level delegate to discuss with the SAC and it hopes it will be able to seek resolution of the conflicts and disagreements between the two sides with the political means." said in the statement.

While seeing the statement released by the MNDAA

So, the SAC would have to cease its air and ground attacks waging across the country and although the MNDAA supported the political means, it would maintain the self-defense, said in the statement.

Haigeng Discussion was started in Haigeng Hotel, Kunming in order that battles between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the MNDAA-AA-TNLA could be stopped.

Haigeng discussion was conducted on December 23, 2023 and from 1st to 3rd March, 2024. 

After that, ceasefire was void and the discussion that had been planned to be held in July, 2024 was broken and then the discussion has not been able to be conducted up to now.

CNI News

5 December 2024

The State Administration Council (SAC) would invite Russia to study the election that would be held in Myanmar, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC told  Russian State Duma Deputy Chair Mr Sholban Kara-Ool when they met.

Chairman of the SAC said the above when he received the delegate led by Russian State Duma Deputy Chair Mr Sholban Kara-Ool in Naypyidaw on December 3, 2024. 

The SAC was making preparations in order that a free and fair general election could be held and the SAC would invite Russian study groups to study the election, chairman of the SAC told  Russian State Duma Deputy Chair Mr Sholban Kara-Ool.

The election would be held in 2025 and international study groups would be invited to study the election; depending on the security condition, the election would be held in phrases, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. 

The conditions regarding Russian standing with Myanmar firmly on the international front and vice versa were discussed.

In the same way, bilateral cooperation conditions in relation to tourism promotion, trade, production, agricultural technology, production of fertilizer and industrial development were reportedly discussed as well.

CNI News

4 December 2024

All the foreign workers who were working illegally in Thailand have been allowed to stay independently from 28th to 30th December, announced the Thai authorities.

However, it would come into effect only the Thai royal family signed the statement, in charge of labor affairs of the Foundation for Education and Development (FED) U Min Oo told CNI News.

" The statement has been issued. It's right. But it can be confirmed only if the royal family sign the statement. It's complex situation for them. There are three groups to be renewed - firstly foreign workers who have been working in Thailand for long, secondly undocumented workers and  thirdly, dependents. When all of them are registered online, there are some difficulties. To the best of my knowledge, the Myanmar side has demanded to pay the tax when the documents are renewed. Myanmar migrant workers have to transfer the money to their families in Myanmar. According to the MoU, MoU workers have to go back to their native countries. It's difficult quite a bit because there are a lot of employers." he said.

The statement applies to all undocumented workers and those who are working with PV, PJ and CI documents. 

While seeing a worker holding a Thai Pink ID card

Although all illegal foreign workers are allowed to stay independently, employers must have reported personal data of their workers to the labor management office in the territories concerned.

All the workers had been allowed to stay independently in the past and if the workers stayed beyond the period designated, they might be arrested, Ko Moe Lay, a Myanmar migrant worker in Thailand, told CNI News.

" The Thai authorities make a list of workers including where undocumented workers are staying. And then undocumented workers are not arrested. If they go beyond the area designated, they will be taken action against. But after one month, there might be arrests. The SAC want to collect the tax from those who will apply documents, visa, and work permit in February 2025." he said.

The Thai Ministry of Labor has urged undocumented workers to apply Thai pink ID cards in December at the latest.

Although this case has been confirmed at the Thai cabinet meeting on September 24, Thai PM has not signed to confirm it.

CNI News

4 December 2024

The security company that is being planned to be established jointly by China and Myanmar might be transformed from an armed organization, a Myanmar political commentator, U Than Soe Naing told CNI News. 

The Chinese government is discussing with Myanmar to build a joint security company in order that the Chinese investments and projects in Myanmar could be protected.

The working committee on building the China-Myanmar security company was formed on October 22, 2024 by the State Administration Council (SAC) and the SAC is studying the possibilities. 

If the foreign forces entered Myanmar, the situation could be complex and the forces might be transformed from armed organizations, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing the workplace of Gold Natural Gas Pipeline Project on Madei Island in Kyauk Phyu Township, Rakhine State

" It will be more complex, that is to say, if foreign armed elements that you don't know where they are from and what kind of uniform they wear and what kinds of weapons they have maintained, Myanmar people have no business to accept that. A civil war is breaking out in Myanmar and Chinese interests are threatened when the military council can't take responsibility for that. The SAC has agreed to let foreign security elements enter Myanmar. It's more likely that they are transformed armed elements. We all should protest against it." he said

Although Chinese private security companies have mainly intended to protect the Chinese projects along the Silk Road Project, they might join the Myanmar Tatmadaw to fight against revolutionary forces, said in an article of the US based the Eurasia on December 2.

Moreover, because Chinese private security companies entered Myanmar, the civil war could be more severe and diplomatic tensions could emerge as well, stated the South China Morning Post on November 28.

If the China-Myanmar joint security company was established, If undesirable forces entered and attacked the designated area where security forces were deployed, rules that could respond could be included, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

While seeing Private Security Companies called PSCs

" The Chinese interests will have to be protected in accordance with the law. As long as their interests are not affected, security staff could be within the designated area. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is long and battles are breaking out along the BRI. If undesirable forces enter and attack the area where security staffs are deployed, rules that security staffs can respond could be included in the agreement and how they can cooperate with the security forces within the country." he said.

Because foreign security forces who would enter Myanmar would take security responsibility with a few staff, they could have maintained hi-tech weapons, pointed out political analysts.

China is using private security companies called PSCs that have been formed with former soldiers to protect its interests and projects as well as their staffs in Middle Asia, Middle East and Africa where armed conflicts are taking place.