CNI News

6 July 2022

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on 6 July saying the reports that Myanmar nationals whose passports have expired abroad are required to renew them at home is not true.

The statement says that reports have spread on social media that Myanmar nationals abroad are required to renew their passports at home.

The ministry says that the reports are not true.

The statement added that Myanmar nationals who are working or residing abroad for various reasons can renew or apply for passports at Myanmar embassies and consulates of respective countries and the embassies and consulates offer the services as usual.

Myanmar embassies, representative offices and consulate have been issuing and extending seven types of passports including business passports (PB), dependent passports (PT), job passports (PJ), religious passports (PR), seaman passports (PS), student passports (PE) and visit passports (PV) in accordance with relevant rules and regulations in a timely manner, according to the ministry.

CNI News

9 July 2022

Despite the announcement to hold elections in 2023, the State Administration Council has still failed to explain how it would guarantee the elections, Chairman Dr Aye Maung of Arakan Front Party told the CNI.

He said the SAC and the Union Election Commission (UEC) should lay out their plans for the elections, which are required to be acceptable for all, to the public instead of just saying they will hold elections.

“It would not go far enough for the SAC just to announce the elections in 2023. It should lay out its guarantees and plans for the 2023 elections, which are required to be acceptable for all, to political parties and the public during the interim period. U Ko Ko Gyi often pointed out that what happened in the 2020 election and what will happen in the 2023 elections should be disclosed during the interim period between now and the elections. The public should be able to cast their votes in physical and mental safety. It is also necessary to establish the rule of law. I think the government still needs to take measures to enable the public to cast their votes independently. It may be necessary to lay out their guarantees for the 2023 elections to the public,” Dr Aye Maung said.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing casts votes in the 2020 general election.

National League for Democracy (NLD) issued a statement on 9 July, saying the Tatmadaw declared results of the 2020 elections null and void by staging a coup and again trying to hold upcoming elections in an attempt to deceive the public and the international community.

The statement also said that the NLD will never recognize the elections held by the SAC.

However, General Secretary (2) Khun Tun Shwe PaO Nationals Organization told the CNI that the country will be on the path for stability if elections can be held.

Protests against Tatmadaw.

“If all agree that political issues must be solved through political means, elections are a political means. Only when elections are held and a government and a legislature can be elected, will the country be a stable one. If elections are not held and destabilization persists for a long time, the country will suffer. National races will lose confidence gradually. There are many consequences as you journalists know,” he said.

The Tatmadaw ousted the NLD government declaring a state of emergency after accusing the NLD of forming a new government without settling the disputes of invalid voters’ lists in the 2020 general election.

The SAC chairman has promised to hold elections in 2023 and hand over the state power to the winning party.

CNI News

4 July 2022

Chinese embassy in Myanmar issued a statement on 4th July that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposed three points to solve Myanmar’s bloody political crisis including returning power to the Myanmar people.

The Chinese foreign minister laid out the proposals when he met with ASEAN Envoy Prak Sokhonn in Bagan on 3rd July.

First, Wang expressed his hope to work together with the ASEAN to push forward national reconciliation in Myanmar. China expects all parties in Myanmar to prioritize the big picture and the interests of the people, adhere to rational consultation, and realize political reconciliation and lasting peace and stability at an early date within the framework of the constitution and laws.

Second, Wang pointed out the needs for China and the ASEAN to find a development path that meets the requirements of Myanma in order achieve the aims to resume Myanmar’s democratic transition and to return power to the people.

Third, Wang said China hopes the ASEAN to maintain its perfect unity and leadership role by constructively implementing the five-point consensus of the ASEAN through consultation and overcoming obstacles based on the principles of non-interference and consensus building.

Wang visited Myanmar to attend the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Summit from 2nd to 5th July. Cambodia Foreign Minister and ASEAN Envoy Prak Sokhonn was also in Myanmar from 29th June to 3rd July to find a way to solve the Myanmar political crisis.

Wang also held discussions with the special envoy.