CNI News

4 June 2025

Naga Self-Administered Zone Heavy rains were causing traffic difficulties, including landslides, in the Naga Self-Administered Zone in upper Sagaing Region, The Naga National Party (NNP) Chairman U Shu Maung told CNI News. 

Due to continuous heavy rains in the upper parts of the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin since the past few days, the Naga region, Kachin State (upper) and Chin State are facing natural disasters such as floods, inundations and landslides.

In the Naga region, which is dependent on the Chindwin River, heavy rains have caused the Chindwin River to rise, blocking roads and bridges, making it difficult to travel, and there are also landslides and houses collapsing, the NNP Chairman U Shu Maung told CNI News.

Heavy rains and flooding in Nanyun, Naga region

“Houses around Leshi have been destroyed. The rains are incessant. There are landslides on the roads. The main way to transport goods from Monywa is by boat. That is not very convenient now, so we have to rely on India. When the rains are incessant, the roads are not convenient. Our region is a difficult one. We'll soon grow paddy. Now we are facing floods and landslides. We need healthcare as well. Students are finding it difficult to go to school around Nanyun in a situation like this." he said.

People whose homes were damaged by the recent rains in Leshi Township are now living in the General Administration Office, Building (2), Leshi Township.

In addition, landslides have also damaged houses and rice barns in Leshi Township, Ma Thaw Yi Village Tract, Ami Khi Village and Amudan Ward. 

The Naga Self-Administered Zone is made up of Leshi, Nanyun and Lahe townships. The region is underdeveloped and faces conditions such as heavy rains and heavy rains during the rainy season, which make road transport very difficult, hamper the flow of goods, make it difficult for children to get an education, cause landslides, and destroy agricultural crops.

CNI News

4 June 2025

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin's declaration of a war on drugs politically treads on the "Wa", military and political observers told CNI News. 

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced on May 27, 2025, a war on drugs to combat the drug distribution of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Shan State, Myanmar.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was trying to regain popular support  by declaring a war on drugs in the “Wa” while his popularity in Thailand was declining, Colonel Khun Okkar, chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO/NCA-S), which is an NCA signatory told CNI New.

“Former Prime Minister Thaksin is in a slump in public support in Thailand and is in danger of going to prison, but he has received letters of support saying he 'd better to stay well in a police hospital. What he doesn’t like are the former military generals who overthrew him. Thaksin doesn’t like General Prayut and his group. When they don’t like each other, it becomes a power struggle. He wants to put blame on Thai generals kind of, saying something they don't take action endanger Thailand when his daughter is Thai PM. So, according to his local politics, he said that he would fight against the Wa, which he is trying to regain the public support kind of. But we have to say something about whether some of the problems are directly related to the Wa or not” he said.

While seeing former Thai PM Thaksin

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has accused the UWSA of being responsible for the flow of drugs into Thailand, and he said that the Thai foreign minister would soon discuss measures with Myanmar to crack down on the UWSA.

Thaksin also boasted of good relations with Myanmar government leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and the Lao Prime Minister, and said he could seek their cooperation to stop drug shipments to Thailand. 

However, Thaksin pointed out that Thailand must handle the fight against drugs independently, and that Shan State in Myanmar is currently not under the Myanmar government's control.

leader of the UWSA

Thaksin's response could be a threat to the "Wa" over the drug issue to divert attention from their own domestic problems, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs analyst, told CNI News. "I wonder why Thaksin is trying to divert the public attention from domestic problems. This is not the first time they threaten to attack the Wa. Thai troops had fought against the Wa when the Wa troops arrived in the Thai border. They know how the Thai troops suffered at that time. But this time, it's just a threat. Now many Thai people don't like Thaksin. It seems that the threat comes from the Thai local politics. They are turning to the drug issue to divert people's attention and talking about the "Wa". They won't fight," she said.

Thaksin declared a war on drugs in 2003, during which more than 2,800 extrajudicial killings were committed, and now, on May 27, 2025, he has declared a new war on drugs. 

Thaksin also said he would seek permission from his daughter, current Prime Minister Paetongtarn, to conduct mass checks to find drug dealers.

CNI News

3 June 2025

Donors from local and abroad have donated money for the rehabilitation due to the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, causing damage and losses.

There are questions about where this money should be prioritized to spend. 131.53 billion kyats and  more than 2.3 million US dollars (2,314,900)  were received from the earthquake relief donation event on May 29, 2025. 

In addition, donations for 51 four-storied buildings with 16 apartments each at a rate of 20,000 lakh kyats per building were received, reported the SAC.

At the first donation event on April 1 (2025), 112.87 billion kyats and 12.4 billion kyats worth of donated goods were received from local and abroad donors, for a total of 125.27 billion kyats. $300 million has been donated to earthquake victims, and that  suggestions on how to donate and where to donate from Facebook pages.

While seeing a building that collapsed during the earthquake that struck on March 28, 2025

An economic analyst told CNI News that the government may prioritize the resumption of government departments over the public in its rehabilitation efforts for the earthquake-affected population.

 “The government has many damaged offices, roads, bridges, schools, and fire stations. Religious buildings are also under the government. The Ministry of Religious Affairs only will spend the budget that they have received for their damaged buildings and does not give the budget to the people. The people will have to help each other. But they will help some people who are really in trouble.  What I mean is that monks help each other, people help each other, and governments help each other. Haiti received billions in international donations after the earthquake, and they are rebuilding people's homes. The government will rebuild the infrastructure necessary for the government as a priority, I believe" he said.

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Sagaing, near Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, 2025, affecting 10 regions and states, with 6 of them experiencing severe damage. 

if you want to donate the people, you can donate them through social organizations that are going among the people, U Myoe Set Thway, secretary of the People's Pioneer Party (PPP), told CNI News.

Those who working to rescue victims of the earthquake that struck on March 28, 2025

“You can donate through the government. You can also donate through the general administration department and ward administrators. But the trust and relationship between the people and the ward administrators is not always good everywhere. That is, the administrators often send things donated to their relatives and friends.There are social organizations among the people that really help. If you donate through them, it is more effective. It's obvious on the ground which people should be preferentially helped. Junior government employees in the rehabilitation can't do their own rehabilitation. These things should be prioritized first." he said.

The SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said that when carrying out rehabilitation activities, it is necessary to take into account not only the current disasters but also potential future disasters and then implement them in accordance with established standards to ensure sustainability for the future. 

The earthquake that struck on March 28, 2025, affected 374 wards, 944 village tracts, 2,081 villages, 162,167 households, and a total population of 506,069 people in 10 regions and states, including the Nay Pyi Taw Council. Moreover,  3,739 people died, 68 were missing, and 5,104 were injured, reported the SAC.

In addition, 51,210 houses, 431 road works, 103 bridges, 83 railway damage sites and 11 railway bridges, 6,730 mobile communication stations, 10 power lines, 3,435 power poles, 594 irrigation canals, 6 embankments, 11,338 departmental buildings, 384 hospitals, 364 clinics, 166 ancient buildings and museums, 2,409 basic education schools, 72 higher education schools, 90 private schools, 6,469 pagodas, 5,588 religious buildings, 344 private factories, 7.5 acres of crops, 133,700 animals were damaged, with a total damage value of Ks3,804.549 billion, the SAC reported.

CNI News

3 June 2025

The Myanmar Tatmadaw may focus on territorial control in order to hold elections in Myanmar by 2025, pointed out military and political analysts. 

The Myanmar Tatmadaw 's losses are unprecedented in the current political landscape in Myanmar, and that repreparations are currently being made. 

Therefore, more battles may take place and a more severe response from the Myanmar Tatmadaw may emerge, Myanmar political analyst Dr. Aung Myo told CNI News.

“Traditionally, the military will fight to regain lost territories such as the food supply situation and ammunition availability situation. The Tatmadaw will focus on security and territorial control for the elections. Therefore, fighting is likely to increase. The Tatmadaw has suffered an unprecedented defeat. This is because there are mistakes in the constitution and the Tatmadaw was not prepared well with its overconfidence. The Tatmadaw will try to regain the territories it lost in the past year or two. The Tatmadaw will also gain manpower under the People's Military Service Law. If it does, we will see a strong response from the Tatmadaw," he said.

While seeing the joint forces of ABSDF and KIA

The SAC chairman has told the international community that elections will be held in December 2025 and January 2026. 

In addition, on May 24, he inspected the military operations of the Triangle Command in Kengtung, Shan State (East) and said that the units need to be able to successfully carry out operations, security, and territorial control in the areas they are responsible for.

In the post-2021 political landscape of Myanmar, fighting between some ethnic armed groups/revolutionary forces and the Myanmar Tatmadaw has been ongoing for more than 4 years. Therefore, peace and stability in a region are difficult to sustain in the long term, given Myanmar’s history, and only when there is peace in the Union can they move towards a path that is beneficial to all,” Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson for the 7 EAOs Alliance, told CNI News.

" Only when there is peace in the Union that we are talking about, can we cease fire in the entire country and move towards a path that is convenient for all. It is difficult to sustain the peace in a region  in the long term due to the historical circumstances of the country. Therefore, whether militarily or politically, these two are intertwined. Therefore, I believe that only if we can build peace in the Union, whether in each region or each state, will we be able to implement security, stability, and rule of law for the people there in the long term,” he said.

Currently, over three million people have been displaced and thousands of houses have been destroyed by fire due to the ongoing armed conflict across Myanmar. Similarly, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has lost control of hundreds of military bases and more than 90 towns.

Furthermore, due to China's intervention and pressure, negotiations have been held between some northern armed groups and the Tatmadaw, and the Tatmadaw has also regained the key area of Lashio.

CNI New

2 June 2025

Local and international donors held a second donation ceremony in Naypyidaw on May 29, 2025, to support the rehabilitation of those affected by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar.

131.53 billion kyats and more than 2.3 million US dollars, as well as the donations for 51 four-storied buildings with 16 flats each at a rate of 200,000 kyats for one building were received from the second earthquake relief donation event, the SAC reported. 

At the first donation ceremony on April 1, 2025, a total of 125.27 billion kyats, including 12.4 billion kyats worth of donated goods were received from domestic and international donors.

“The national government will establish short-term and long-term plans to successfully carry out the rehabilitation work and ensure that it is better than the original situation. Since the government’s strength is limited in carrying out this work alone, only through such cooperation can the rehabilitation work in the earthquake-affected areas be carried out quickly and effectively,” said the SAC chairman.

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Sagaing, near Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, 2025, affecting 10 regions and states, with 6 of them experiencing severe damage.

The earthquake affected 374 wards, 944 village tracts, 2,081 villages, 162,167 households, and a total population of 506,069 people in 10 regions and states, including Naypyidaw Council area.

The SAC then reported 3,739 dead, 68 missing, and 5,104 injured. In addition, 51,210 houses, 431 road works, 103 bridges, 83 railway damage sites and 11 railway bridges, 6,730 mobile communication stations, 10 power lines, 3,435 power poles, 594 irrigation canals, 6 embankments, 11,338 departmental buildings, 384 hospitals, 364 clinics, 166 ancient buildings and museums, 2,409 basic education schools, 72 higher education schools, 90 private schools, 6,469 pagodas, 5,588 religious buildings, 344 private factories, 7.5 acres of crops, 133,700 animals were damaged, with a total damage value of Ks3,804.549 billion, SAC reported.

CNI News

2 June 2025

Military and political analysts are reviewing and discussing what kind of political status should be given to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. 

Myanmar political analyst Dr. Aung Myo told CNI News that successive authorities have monopolized Myanmar politics for over 70 years, and it is true that the Panglong Agreement was violated.

Therefore, ethnic groups should be given a higher political status than their current status, and their religious, literary, and cultural freedom should be granted, he said.

“That’s why the ethnic groups are not satisfied. We can’t give them the same status as the “Wa”. But we have to improve them more than the current status. We should give them religious and cultural freedom. But they mustn't have an army like the “Wa”. Another thing is that if the problems that occur within the state don’t affect the union, they should be allowed to decide within the state. State governors should be able to even grant amnesty regarding crimes. Moreover, they should have general administration offices that can make their own decisions, I think." said Dr. Aung Myo.

The UWSA and the NDAA leaders

The government led by President U Thein Sein offered a ceasefire in 2011 and held discussions with various ethnic armed groups. 

By 2012, the government and 14 ethnic armed groups had reached state-level and union-level ceasefire agreements, and the NCA was finalized in August 2015. 

Then, on October 15, 2015, eight (8) ethnic armed organizations, namely KNU, RCSS, ALP, DKBA, KNU/KNLA-PC, PNLO, CNF, ABSDF, signed the NCA, and during the NLD government, the NMSP and LDU signed it.

The ethnic armed groups, which have had an upper hand in Myanmar's political landscape during the past more than four years, were demanding higher political status than before and it was not to blame, 7 EAOs Alliance spokesperson Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt told CNI News.

The MNDAA, the AA and the TNLA leaders

“In the past, the desire of all EAOs was to build a federal democratic union with national equality and self-determination. However, given the situation that has developed in the country over the past four years, there may be desires and demands among the ethnic groups. This must be accepted. We cannot blame the fact that, due to this unusual political situation for more than 4 years, we have also seen other ideas emerge in our ethnic armed organizations. There is a cause and effect. "I believe that if we can work together in consultation and coordination with all stakeholders, looking to the benefit of the Union, we can shape a situation that best suits the actual situation of this country," he said.

Military and political observers point out that most of the ethnic armed groups currently waging a revolution want a political status similar to that of the “Wa.”

However, they also point out that giving them a political status like the “Wa” is impossible due to geographical and historical factors.

CNI News

2 June 2025

If the central government of Myanmar fails to maintain good relations with China on the “Wa” issue, the “Wa” region may secede, U Sai Htay Aung, chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), told CNI News. 

The EAOs that have achieved confederation status beyond the federal system in Myanmar are the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA).

U Sai Htay Aung told CNI that the “Wa” has reached a point where the central government’s influence is no longer applicable, and that if the central government has good relations with China, China will not try to make the WA break away from the country.

" If the central government doesn't have a good relation, the 'Wa' region can break away from Myanmar like the Kashmir seceded from India because everything that is being used in the Wa region is related to China. A lot of Wa people live on the China-Myanmar border and within China. So, the central government has no longer power over the Wa region. But there have been no battles between the central government and the Wa army for over 30 years. The Wa leaders were able to carry out to develop the Wa region. If there is a major war between the central government and the Wa region, the Wa region could secede from Myanmar, if China recognizes it. But the central government has a good relation with China, China won't accept the secession." he said.

While seeing a UWSA comrade and Pangsang City

When UWSP/UWSA leaders meet with every elected government, including the leaders of the Myanmar Tatmadaw, they demand that the “Wa” self-administered division be recognized as “Wa” State. 

The UWSP/UWSA’s request to establish the “Wa” region as a self-administered state was agreed in principle, said leader of the SAC's Information Team Major General Zaw Min Tun in a press conference on June 1, 2022.

However, discussions reportedly will continue after the future multi-party democratic elections are held and a parliament is formed. Under the 2008 constitution, the townships of Hopang, Mong Mao, Panwai, Naphan, Matman and Pankham (Pansang) in Shan State are divided into two districts and designated as the “Wa” Self-Administered Division.

China had no objection if a federal system that could be accepted by all ethnic groups could be drawn up . The current government or the next government needed to carry out the establishment of a federal system, U Khun Sai, who is involved in the peace process, told CNI News.

While seeing the 2008 constitution and the UWSA

"China has already made it clear that it does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. They have already said that they strictly adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. We need to urge China to adhere to these principles. From our side, if we can agree on and draft a federal system that everyone can accept, whether it's the "Wa" or any other ethnic group, if we can make them accept it, China will have no objection, I believe. Right now, when the situation is not so clear, “Wa” is going its own way with its own army and its own system, we can’t say anything about it right now, whether we like it or not. The important thing is that if the next government or the current government is going to establish a federal system, it needs to be implemented in practice, not just verbally. If we do this, it will happen gradually." he said.

If the UWSA wants to obtain the state level, it will only be granted the kind of state level by the 2008 Constitution and in the 2008 constitution, the central government has controlled executive, judicial, and legislative powers. 

However, the current UWSA exercise executive, judicial, and legislative powers, exceeding the 2008 Constitution.

Therefore, it is questionable what kind of state the UWSA is demanding, and how it will resolve the situation where the 2008 constitution does not allow for state level.

Construction materials should be allowed to be imported

CNI News

31 May 2025

 The current problems could be reduced if imports of construction materials are allowed to proceed smoothly, as there is a high demand for construction materials, U Myo Myint, Secretary General of the Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Federation (MCEF), told CNI News.

The current demand for construction materials far exceeds the amount that could be produced domestically, so if the required amount was allowed to be imported, the problem would be solved, he said .

"The Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) is holding meetings to quickly obtain construction materials. The main thing is that if the government allows imports of what are needed locally, I think the current shortage of construction materials will be reduced. For example, we can only produce 5,000 tons of a product within the country that needs 10,000 tons; if we allow 5,000 tons to be imported, I think that would be a solution," said U Myo Myint.

While cement is being imported

Only about 780,000 tons of cement were allowed to be imported from abroad between 2021 and July 2024. 

Businessmen and construction workers have pointed out that during the current earthquake disaster, more imports of cement and other construction materials should be allowed to be imported than now.

Government-run media outlets have announced that foreign cement will soon be arriving, that locally produced cement will be sold in earthquake-hit areas, and that cement imports are being allowed through the Kawthaung border trade post.

In addition, Myanmar imports about (92) percent of its iron and steel needs from abroad, and imports about (3) million tons of iron/steel and related products annually, and steel demand is expected to increase to about (5.4) million tons per year starting from 2030, according to Myanmar Iron and Steel Association (MISA).

While cement is being imported

Currently, construction companies are facing difficulties from all sides, and are just waiting for the time to resume operations for the economy, U Maung Maung, chairman of Shwe Gabar Maung Maung Construction, told CNI News.

"After the earthquake, things changed a little. Workers also found jobs. Workers used to go abroad to make a living and raise their families. They say that the income abroad is better than what they earn within the country. We are not doing much construction work. We are in a somewhat waiting situation economically," he said.

Currently, construction activity is low due to difficulties in purchasing construction materials and other issues as a result of the earthquake, according to business owners. 

The government has set a price of 17,000 kyats per bag of cement for earthquake-affected buildings, but it is difficult to buy it on the ground, and the price is reportedly as high as 40,000 kyats.

Federalism is impossible without equal political rights

CNI News

31 May 2025

If the country is to return to federalism, political equality must be restored. 

Without political equality, there can be no federalism, Colonel Khun Okkar, chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Front (PNLO-NCA/S), which signed the NCA, told CNI News. 

The EAOs that have achieved confederation status beyond the federal system in Myanmar are the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA).

The political status that  these ethnic armed groups have now achieved is not in accordance with the law, but rather a level of convenience and understanding, and therefore, when it becomes legal, they will have to negotiate to achieve the same status as other ethnic armed groups, Colonel Khun Okkar told CNI News.

“It is a turbulent time right now, some EAOs have had a lot of opportunities, some have had nothing, and there are still struggles. All of that needs to be rebalanced. When it becomes legal, it needs to be rebalanced. The current opportunities that some EAOs have achieved cannot be said to be legal yet. They have achieved these rights with understanding , which is not permanent. If the country is to go along with federal law, if it is to be readjusted, then political equality must be given. Therefore, federalism is not possible without equal political rights." he said.

There have been an agreement between the government/the Tatmadaw and NCA signatories to build a union based on democracy and federalism. 

Political parties accept it as well. 

While seeing ethnic armed groups after their conference

However, due to the changing political landscape in Myanmar after February 1, 2021, some ethnic armed groups have expressed their positions beyond the federal system and called for the establishment of a confederation or a new independent state.

The Union government needs to be strengthened, and if it is going to give a federal level instead of a confederation, it needs to give all the EAOs equally, and the Union government also needs to negotiate issues that go beyond federalism, U Sai Htay Aung, chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), told CNI.

“The armed groups have been demanding a federal system since 1962, but when the 2008 constitution was drafted, some EAOs were given self-administration. Among those granted autonomy, the Wa went beyond autonomy and became a confederation. Now other ethnic armed groups are also following the example of the “Wa” and they want a confederation level. But the union government needs to be strong. If it only gives a federal level rather than confederation, it must give all the EAOs equal rights. The Union Government must negotiate on issues beyond the federal level, and only provide what is stipulated in the Constitution. If the government gives more than this, the ethnic groups will demand rights step by step," he said.

While seeing ethnic armed group leaders and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

The Arakan Army (AA) has said it will seek a political status no lower than that of the “Wa” or a confederation. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Vice Chairman Lt. Gen. Gun Maw had also stated that by 2025, ethnic groups would have considerations that go beyond federalism. 

Furthermore, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) Secretary-General Major General Tar Bone Kyaw said on August 18, 2022 that the Palaung people must be prepared to establish a country of their own if the situation arises.

In the peace talks, ethnic armed groups are only demanding ethnic issues and are weak in demanding regional issues. 

They should not be organizations that represent a group of people, but rather organizations that represent the region, said the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. 

Furthermore, the war must continue as ethnic armed groups strive to gain their own territories, he said.