CNI News

29 July 2025

Holding elections using two systems by the SAC could confuse the public, said the People's Pioneer Party Chairman Dr. Thet Thet Khaing at a party press conference held at Sedona Hotel, Yangon on July 28, 2025. 

There were differences of opinion among some major parties and ethnic parties regarding the electoral system, she said.

"As a party, we attend meetings invited by the UEC. There, we heard the voices of the parties. In my opinion, the USDP likes FPTP. But other smaller parties and the ethnic parties like PR. FPTP will be used for Pyithu Hluttaw and PR, for Amyotha Hluttaw and Region Hluttaw. These two systems will be used at the same time. I think it will confuse the public. If PR is used, parties only must be voted. Parties are responsible to select their representatives. The Ministry of Home Affairs must investigate whether a representative has committed a crime or committed fraud and the UEC must confirm," he said.

While the SAC Chairman was meeting with political parties

The Union Election Commission (UEC) told CNI News that the upcoming elections will be held under two systems: the first-past-the-post (FPTP) which was previously used and proportional representation (PR) systems. However, political parties are currently worried because some individuals recently experienced threat to their lives from some ethnic parties and the USDP.

That's why there are parties that want to use the PR system only because according to the system, people have to vote for parties without having to know who the candidates are and it is a system in which advantage and disadvantage are mixed.

Although the FPTP system was used in the 2015 general election, the public voted for the NLD party rather than its candidates, so voting for the party would be easier for the public to decide, said Dr. Thet Thet Khaing, chairperson of the People's Pioneer Party (PPP).

“The PR system has both good and bad sides. The good side is that it is more likely to hold elections successfully. And in terms of security, it is better for the candidates. However, the party has a greater responsibility. Parties have to choose their candidates or representatives. Parties have to inform the public of their policies. As the people, they have to elect parties only, depending on the leader and policies of a party. In 2015, the people voted for the NLD party rather than its candidates even though the FPTP system was used at that time. So, the PR is easier for the people to decide which party they will vote for, I think." she said.

The FPTP system is a system in which only the candidate who receives the most votes in a constituency is elected, while the PR system is an electoral system in which seats are proportionally distributed based on the number of votes received by a political party or individual.

Elections will be held in 267 townships in Myanmar, but all regions and states will be divided into phases according to a priority plan, except for areas where there are restrictions due to geographical conditions to hold elections, the UEC told CNI News.

CNI News

26 July 2025

Business and political circles point out that Myanmar needs political transparency to have good diplomatic relations with the United States. 

The United States has added SAC members and businessmen close to the SAC to its economic sanctions list and announced that it will impose on Myanmar a 40 percent trade tax.

Dr. Aung Myo told CNI News that Myanmar needs political openness to improve relations with the United States, and that efforts should be made to ensure that the US Congress understands Myanmar's situation.

Myanmar National Flag

"Most in the US Congress are not as knowledgeable about the political situation in Myanmar as the administration. Another thing is that if we believe that the US President has begun to improve relations with Myanmar, then we need to do something to improve relations with  the US congress. If we do, they will accept it. We have an obligation to try to make the US Congress understand more about Myanmar. We have a responsibility to show political openness, for example, elections. I think it will get better and better," he said.

SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing sent a letter to US President Donald Trump on July 9, 2025, requesting the lifting of sanctions imposed on Myanmar. 

Two weeks after the letter was sent, the United States announced on July 24, 2025, that it had removed Myanmar businessmen Johnathan Myo Kyaw Thaung, Aung Hlaing Oo, Sit Tain Aung, and Daw Tin Latt Min from its sanctions list.

While seeing those who were demanding democracy

Economic analyst U Htay Aung Kyi told CNI News that the current US president has a trait of character that he implements things he wants  to do, so Myanmar should try to get on well with him.

"The main things are the executive and legislative pillars. The US President can make decisions immediately with his authority. The current situation requires getting on well with the US President. It seems that he is trying to force his decision to be implemented. We need to know how the world system is controlled. It's important to be able to talk to make him understand," he said.

Currently, the SAC is planning to hold elections in December 2025 and January 2026, and has said that it will transfer state power to the winning political party. The United States has also issued a statement not to make any comment on international elections.

CNI News

28 July 2025

Since February, 2021 when the SAC started ruling the country, government departments and all armed organizations increasingly have been seeking their interests, said military and political analysts. 

Government departments are abusing power and seeking their interests while armed groups are also seeking their interests, the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party Chairman Sai Htay Aung told CNI News.

“After the SAC took power, all the armed organizations were only looking for their own interests. In the past, if the armed groups were looking for their own interests, they would be taken action against when the parliament complained about it. They did not dare to do such a thing boldly. Now, when there is no Hluttaw to speak on behalf of the people, and complaints cannot reach the central government, troops at the bottom are doing whatever they want. During the civilian government era, they did not dare to do this much, including government departments. But today all the armed organizations, including the departments are seeking their own interests, showing their weapons. So, the people are badly suffering." he said.

While seeing an armed group

Because some government staff were involved in political movements under the NLD government, the people suffered the consequences under the SAC, Director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, told CNI News.

During the current SAC administration, it was carrying out its duties, thinking that the voter fraud could be peacefully resolved peacefully. 

On the other hand, loose management took place from which it reached the current situation.

During the current SAC administration, it was carrying out its duties, thinking that the vote fraud could be peacefully resolved peacefully. On the other hand, loose management took place from which it reached the current situation, he said.

While seeing the airport

“The main thing is the system. What system will be built? What qualifications will the people who will participate in and operate in that system have? That is, elected representatives. Politicians. If we combine qualified politicians with democrats in the administrative apparatus, we can build a good system. But for the country to be successful, everyone will need to cooperate. We will need a lot of public help. If all of these things are fulfilled, we will be in a better position than the current situation," said U Thein Tun Oo.

During the current SAC era, extra fees are charged for smooth departures from the airport, for getting passports quickly, for reporting guest lists and for facilitating import and export operations.

Similarly, there are more and more cases of paying extra fees in business dealings with other government departments.

In addition, armed groups are more numerous than ever before and are increasingly involved in economic activities, including tax collection in the areas where they operate, mining, arms sales, drug trafficking, and other activities.

CNI News
27 July 2025

The United States announced on July 24, 2025, that it would lift sanctions imposed on certain Myanmar businesspeople.

The SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing sent a letter to the US President Donald Trump on July 9, 2025, requesting the lifting of sanctions on Myanmar.

“The international community has imposed sanctions on Myanmar based on false information without knowing the true situation in Myanmar. The United States has also imposed sanctions on Myanmar, and these sanctions are of no benefit to our two countries. Therefore, we would like to request that the previously imposed economic sanctions be lifted in the interests of the people of both countries.” said the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in his letter sent to President Donald Trump on July 9, 2025.

Two weeks after the letter was sent, the US President Trump lifted sanctions on Myanmar business people - Johnathan Myo Kyaw Thaung, U Aung Hlaing Oo,U Sit Taing Aung and Daw Tin Latt Min.

U Johnathan Myo Kyaw Thaung is the founder of KT Services & Logistics and U Sit Taing Aung is the owner of Suntac Technologies. U Aung Hlaing Oo is the owner of MCM Group.

The US government led by Joe Biden imposed sanctions on Johnathan Myo Kyaw Thaung in January, 2022. And then, U Sit Taing Aung and U Aung Hlaing Oo were sanctioned because they were working in the defense sector of the SAC in 2022.

Similarly, Daw Tin Min Latt was sanctioned because she was close to the SAC.

CNI News

26 July 2025

The Myanmar Tatmadaw has regained control of the Kyondoe-Kawkreik Road on July 24, 2025, it announced. 

The KNU-PDF joint force attacked the Myanmar Tatmadaw from five routes with superior force from April 13, 2025, in order to capture Kyondoe and Kawkareik including the Hpa-An-Kyondoe-Kawkareik-Myawaddy Asia Highway,

These routes are Outbodae-Yancoat-Kawkreik Route, Outbodae-Myabadaing-Owndabin-Inn Gyi-Kyondoe Route, Deekalon-Naungtaman-Towerlae-Nachangon-Kyondoe Route, Taung Kyar Inn-Myauk Kyar Inn-Ngar Daing- Lay Daing Route, Sekkawat-Aung Hlaing-Tamaing Gon-Kawkreik Route.

The KNU-PDF joint forces entered from the routes and blocked the Kyondoe-Kawkreik-Myawaddy after which they severely attacked Kyondoe and Kawkreik Towns, reported the Myanmar Tatmadaw. 

After seven major battles and 85 minor battles took place, the Kyondo-Kawkaweik route was regained control on July 24, and 30 weapons and related equipment were seized by the Myanmar Tatmadaw which announced that it was working to clear some of the remaining sections of the road as soon as possible so that the Asia Highway can be reopened normally through Myawaddy Town.

Kawkareik is a commercial hub located on the Hpa-An-Myawaddy Road, only 41 miles away from Myawaddy on the Thai-Myanmar border, and is located on the Asia Highway, a major trade route. Kawkareik is a crossroads town with good transportation connections to Myawaddy, Hpa-an, Mawlamyine, and Kyar Inn Seik Kyi.

CNI News

26 July 2025

Among over 50 political parties in Myanmar, the Chinese Communist Party is approaching Myanmar political parties that are likely to come to power in the upcoming election that will be held by the SAC after inviting them to China, according to military and political analysts.

The Communist Party of China has invited Myanmar four political parties to China from July 20 to 27, 2024: the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the People's Party (PP), the Arakan Front Party (AFP), and the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (White Tiger).

Then, on May 20, 2025, the Communist Party of China invited the People's Pioneer Party (PPP) to China, and in June, 2025, the Pa-O National League (PNO) was invited to China. 

When Dr. Aye Maung had arrived in China

Similarly, the Communist Party of China invited the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and the Farmers Development Party to China from June 16 to 23, 2025.

Domestic and foreign diplomats have considered that members of these parties are likely to achieve positions in the post-election government.

China may be building a good relationship in advance, considering those who are likely to be involved in the government that will emerge after the election, U Myo Set Thwe, general secretary of the People's Progressive Party (PPP), told CNI News.

"After predicting who could have influence and power and participate in the post-election government, China seems to build a good relationship with them. If they had power and authority in the post-election government, it would benefit China. Even though some of them had power, China can make a profit in the investment sector." he said.

The SAC has said that elections will be held in December 2025 and January 2026, and that state power will be transferred to the party that wins the elections. Then, there are 9 political parties that will compete throughout the Union and 48 parties that will compete in just one region or state.

Among the more than 50 political parties, the parties that were likely to form a government after the election and the political parties that could participate in the government were predicted by the Communist Party of China after which the CPC invited them to China and was building good relations with them in advance, pointed out military and political analysts.

 China has good relations with Myanmar political parties and they (parties that were invited to China) were expected to be strong in the election, so there was no need to analyze them in detail, U Thein Htun Oo, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, told CNI News.

While seeing the SAC Chairman and Chinese Premier

“China is very close to Myanmar, especially economically and politically. No matter who is in power in Myanmar, it is more important to be closer to the Chinese government, which has had a large border trade with Myanmar. Because both countries have many projects to work on together, including the BRI, which will be implemented later. And there will be the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC). So, to provide guarantees for these, we need political stability. Myanmar's new government needs to work together with China to find mutually beneficial cooperation. My view is that if we can rely on China's growing economy to develop our country, we see it as a good opportunity," he said.

China often selects political parties in Myanmar and invites them to China to study governance and development issues, as well as to hold China-Myanmar economic talks.

Retired President U Thein Sein was invited to China from June 27 to 30, 2024, and about a week later, on July 6, the SAC Vice Chairman Vice Senior General Soe Win was also invited to China.

Then, SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited China from November 5 to 10, 2024, and met with the Chinese Premier to discuss issues such as Myanmar affairs, trade, economy, elections, and peace.

CNI News

25 July 2025

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) was arresting and militarily recruiting Naga people as well as arresting members of the NSCN-K/YA, a Naga armed group. So, the Naga Students Organization (NSO) has questioned if the KIA is declaring war on the Naga people.

The KIA troops massively entered the Naga ancestral lands near Talu and Lungyone villages west of the Tanai River on July 18, 2025, and the KIA arrested 16 members of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Kaplan/Yung Aung (NSCN-K/YA) along with their weapons and ammunition. 

So, the NSO has questioned if the KIA is declaring war on the Naga people or testing their patience.

“In recent years, especially after the military coup in 2021, the KIA’s repeated provocations have posed a significant threat to the existing friendship. When several hundreds of Naga youths go to Kachin State on business including education and healthcare, the Naga youths and Naga young men from gold and jade digging areas and Naga villages near Kachin State borde were recruited against their will by the KIA. Amy news about some of them was not heard and others were being used as human shields on the battle ground. These incidents were insulting the Naga people who cherish the peace," said in the statement. 

The statement released by the Naga Students Organization

They condemned the KIA's repeated provocations; they demanded the KIA to release the Naga forces and unconditionally give back the weapons seized, said the NSO.

If the KIA delayed to comply with their demand, they would deem that it speeds up the conflict and if its hostilities continued to take place, the KIA would be responsible for the consequent problems, said the NSO in its statement.

Despite such aggression by the KIA, the Naga people have shown patience without retaliating. They had hoped Kachin leaders to bring peace, recognizing its alliance, but that hope has been narrow, said in the statement.

Then, on June 7, 2024, they went to meet with KIA leaders in Kachin State to discuss the issues, but the KIA troops in Shin Bwe Yang, Tanai Township, blocked them from going to the KIA headquarters. 

While seeing the NSCN-K/YA

On June 13-14, 2024, they held discussions with junior KIA officers, but they had to come back without getting any answers. However, the KIA’s aggressive actions have worsened, said in the NSO's statement.

The KIA has been increasingly recruiting Naga people since 2021, and has reportedly arrested and recruited not only Naga youth living in Kachin State but also in townships such as Nanyun, Pansaung, Lahe, and Donghee in the Naga Self-Administered Zone. The KIA recruited around 300 Naga youths between February and September 2023, said Naga locals.

The KIA troops arrested Naga youths, entering one house after another, in some villages in the Shin Bwe Yang area of Tanai Township in the second week of April, 2024, according to Naga locals.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Brigade (2) is reportedly operating in Tanai Township and the Hukaung Valley, Kachin State.

CNI News
24 July 2025

The Myanmar Army has regained control of most areas in Thabeikkyin town, Mandalay Region, since July 22. 

The Myanmar Tatmadaw has regained control of most areas in Thabeikkyin town, Mandalay Region, since July 22, 2025.

Joint forces from the Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF), the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and the Mogok Strategy attacked the Myanmar Tatmadaw and captured Thabeikkyin Town on August 25, 2024.

The Myanmar Army then launched counter offensives against Thabeikkyin, Naungcho, and Mobye and was able to recapture Mobye in Kayah State in the second week of July 2025, Naungcho in northern Shan State on July 16, and Thabeikkyin in Mandalay Region, on July 23.

Currently, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has taken control of most of the key areas in Thabeikkyin, including Myo Oo Taung Baw Phaya Gon, the city hall, and the public hospital.

CNI News

24 July 2025

There were considerations and comments that  the State Administration Council will hold elections whether they were supported or not, U Khun Sai who is involved in the peace process, told CNI News. 

The SAC Chairman has pledged that elections will be held in December, 2025 and January, 2026. However, There are different opinions local and abroad regarding whether elections could be held or not.

According to those close to diplomatic circles, the SAC has determined to hold elections whether other people like it or not, said U Khun Sai.

" We have heard that the SAC has determined to hold elections whether other people like it or not. Now that summer holidays have reached, many ambassadors have largely returned home, but they ordered their staff to inform them of how the SAC will make a decision or announce on 31 July, 2025 in time. Diplomatic circles seem to deem that elections are unavoidable whether it is liked or not. Organizations that are closely watching Myanmar such as the ICG said that it was impossible to hold elections." he said.

While seeing those who were demanding democracy

ASEAN members would not accept elections that didn't include all the political parties and elections that were not all-inclusive wouldn't be able to solve any problem, and the situation would be worse, said Malaysian FM. Without giving priority to elections, only if efforts were made to give priority to stop all terrorist attacks, all the stakeholders could meet and discuss, he said.
 
However, China, India, Thailand and Bangladesh have accepted the elections that will bw held by the SAC. Saying that democracy could be restored and a federal union could be established by the SAC's successfully holding elections did not make sense; they could not be free and fair elections, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy Party (SNLD) Chairman Sai Nyunt Lwin told CNI News.

There are different attitudes between neighboring countries and ASEAN countries regarding Myanmar elections. And some ASEAN countries have no comments about the elections.

Neighboring countries would continue to support the elections because they have deemed that the elections are an exit from conflicts, U Khun Sai who is involved in the peace process, told CNI News.

While casting votes in the election

" Neighboring countries especially Thailand, India and China have considered the elections as an exit from conflicts. So, they will support the elections. But some ASEAN countries have no comments about the elections. Others, like Malaysia, have said that dialogues and ceasefire are more important than elections. The statement released from the last ASEAN meeting didn't include comments regarding elections. But they said that an extended and expanded ceasefire was needed. ASEAN Summit Talks will be held on October 26, 27 and 28 where the Malaysian Special Envoy's report will be presented." he said.

The SAC chairman has said that democracy must be implemented in Myanmar Way and Myanmar Style. Moreover, the Union Election Commission has told CNI News that elections will be held in 267 townships in phases.

Except for the territories limited by security, elections will be held in all the States and Regions on the basis of priority plans.