CNI News

9 July 2025

 If sanctions can be relaxed after Myanmar holds elections, the economy will recover, said the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party chairman Sai Ai Pao.

Currently, Myanmar has been economically sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, Australia and the ILO. Consequently the people are facing a shortage of job opportunities, a declining economy and rising prices.

The economic downturn in Myanmar was due to sanctions, and if sanctions were lifted, foreign investment would increase, said Sai Aik Pao, chairman of the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party, to CNI News. 

The Chairman of the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party, Sai Aik Pao

“The economic collapse in Myanmar is due to sanctions. If a civilian government comes to power, these sanctions will be lifted. If there are no sanctions, foreign investment will increase. If an elected government comes to power, international trust will increase. These foreign investors are watching the upcoming 2025 election, so if a civilian government comes to power after the election, foreign investments will definitely enter. If such foreign investments enter, the country's economy will develop. It will definitely develop more than it is now," he said.

The partnership with a world power was welcomed and the country would be harmed if the country's finances were depleted by short-term projects rather than long-term ones,, businessman U Aung Pyae Sone told CNI News. 

When accepting foreign investments, it was necessary to be careful that if they were short-term projects, the country's finances might be depleted and it might be a loss, and they needed to be long-term projects, said businessman U Aung Pyae Sone.

While seeing the grassroots

“ Myanmar has reached agreements with a world power. We should welcome the fact that we will cooperate. We should accept the transportation projects that are really necessary for the country, including railway factories. We have only known roughly that such cooperation will take place. We need to know in detail what areas will be cooperated. "We need to clearly inform the public about the things that can be told. Will it improve job opportunities? Or, how can we replace the commuter trains that are running on the circular railways in a year? It's necessary to reconsider it."he said.

To help Myanmar's economy recover, SAC is seeking to partner with countries such as China, Russia, Belarus, India, and Thailand, and is also inviting domestic investments. 

China, Russia, Thailand, and Singapore are reportedly preparing to invest in deep-sea port projects and oil exploration projects in Tanintharyi Region.

On the other hand, to remedy Myanmar's political crisis and economic downturn, the SAC is preparing to hold elections in December 2025 and January 2026 to form a new government.

CNI News

8 July 2025

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) was preparing to make the public participate in the interim Ta’ang revolutionary government, said  the TNLA spokesperson Lwe Ye Oo. 

She made the remarks at a military and political press conference of the PSLF/TNLA  held on July 5, 2025.

“The Ta'ang Land Council (TLC) will lead the establishment of an interim revolutionary government in Ta'ang, which will include the PSLF/TNLA, political parties and civil society organizations. We are preparing for this interim revolutionary government to become a government that includes civilians,” said Lwe Ye Oo.

The Ta'ang Land Council (TLC), which includes the Ta'ang National Party (TNP), PSLF/TNLA, and Ta'ang civil society groups, was formed on June 9, 2025.

While seeing the TNLA troops,

The Ta'ang Land Council (TLC) is reportedly working to form a Ta'ang revolutionary government in 2025, with leaders from the three groups and appropriate representatives of the people, based on the territories seized during Operation 1027.

The Ta’ang Land Council (TLC) was established as the highest political authority in the Ta’ang State during the revolutionary period. 

The Chinese government recently separately met with the TNLA and the SAC, and its intervention was quite effective, said the TNLA spokesperson Lwe Ye Oo. 

While the Myanmar Tatmadaw Lieutenant General Ko Ko Oo was meeting with the TNLA Lieutenant General Ta Jock Ja

“Although the trilateral dialogue involving the SAC has not yet been held, we were invited by China to meet and we discussed with China and there we have reported on the current situation, our crisis, and the activities of the military council, especially the violence and attacks targeting civilians. On the other hand, there are similar reports from the military council. So, it seems to be positive in order to become discussions between the two sides through the intervention of the Chinese government. We can say that there are positive connections being made.” she said.

Currently, fighting is ongoing between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the TNLA in Naung Cho Township, and the Myanmar Tatmadaw is reportedly using thousands of troops to launch a three-column offensive to retake Naung Cho town. 

The town of Naung Cho was captured by the TNLA-led revolutionary forces in June 2024, the second wave of Operation 1027.

CNI News

8 July 2025

The Myanmar Tatmadaw might be considering a gradual withdrawal from politics in Myanmar, but politicians need to avoid challenging the Myanmar Tatmadaw, U Myo Set Thwe, general secretary of the People's Pioneer Party (PPP), told CNI News.

There are considerations that politicians should be careful not to challenge the Myanmar Tatmadaw, as the Myanmar Tatmadaw tends to seize power whenever political problems in Myanmar become complicated.

Retaining power in 2021 by the Tatmadaw might be because of electoral fraud as well as because it was worried that the country's future prospects would worsen, said U Myo Set Thwe. 

“According to the 2008 constitution, the Tatmadaw seems to intend to gradually withdraw from politics. The reason why the Tatmadaw is involved is because it is concerned about the security of the country and the dignity of the Tatmadaw. If you don't want it to happen like that,  you need to avoid challenging the Tatmadaw. If politicians challenge the Tatmadaw, the Tatmadaw may maintain power even more. After building good relations between the Tatmadaw and political parties or civil society, we have to make the Tatmadaw retreat gradually from politics. What I mean is that you can't go and talk to the military like a thug. We will have to recognize the existence of the Tatmadaw and persuade it to gradually withdraw from politics. If we can do that, we hope that the Tatmadaw will gradually withdraw from politics," he said.

While seeing representatives from political parties

In Myanmar, the Tatmadaw  ruled the country after forming a caretaker government since the U Nu government handed over power to the Tatmadaw in 1958, and then seized power for various reasons, once on March 2, 1962, once in September 1989, and once after the 1990 elections.

And the Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on the first of February, 2021, claiming that the NLD was attempting to form a government without solving the vote list dispute that took place in the 2020 general election after which it took power and has been ruling the country after announcing the state of emergency.

In order to prolong its power, the Tatmadaw tends to play a trick on the public by using words 'election' and 'peace talks' whenever it encounters difficulties, said a China-Myanmar affairs analyst, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, told CNI News.

While the SAC Chairman was meeting with political parties

“We don’t regard such people as politicians. We don’t have any hope for the elections that the military will hold. The military deceives people with the words 'elections' and 'peace talks' whenever it finds it difficult. So-called politicians who talk about things that the military wants are not real politicians. They are trying to eat the leftovers from the military. They want to earn money from politics. I don't comment on what these people say, I don't care, and I don't recognize the election in any way. This military is trying to survive in this politics. They have enjoyed a taste of ruling this country. So, to survive this military dictatorship, this military is deceiving the people in various ways." she said.

The SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has said that elections will be held in December 2025 and January 2026, and power will be transferred to the winning political party. 

Some political party leaders have pointed out that a stable transition can be achieved only if the election results of what the military accepts come out.

CNI News

8 July 2025

The Myanmar Tatmadaw announced that it had regained control of the entire town of Mobye on July 6, 2025, after 615 major and minor battles to regain control of Mobye, Kayah State.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw had been conducting a Counter Terrorism Operation to regain control of Mobye since early 2025 and after 615 major and minor battles took place during the entire operation, the Myanmar Tatmadaw was able to regain control of the entire town of Mobye, it announced.

The statement said that important documents and video files including 24 bodies and 63 weapons from the KNPP-PDF joint force  were seized.

The Loikaw-Mobye-Pekon-Pinlaung road was scheduled to reopen soon after the remaining 4.5 km of the road that connects Mobye with Loikaw was completely cleared, said in the statement.

The Free Burma Ranger sided with the KNPP-PDF joint force against the Myanmar Tatmadaw in the Mobye Batttle, stated the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

CNI News

7 July 2025

The National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) and the National Unity Government (NUG) jointly issued a statement on July 5, 2025, calling on the revolutionary elements to stand together and oppose the illegal, sham elections and sham peace process.

The statement was issued by the Joint Working Committee Against Illegal and Fraudulent Elections, claiming to be an appeal to the revolutionary forces.

Then, the NUCC and the NUG urged revolutionary groups to work together with the local people to prevent the SAC (originally described: Military Group) from organizing and holding elections in various revolutionary areas, including ethnic areas.

On July 4, 2025, the SAC invited the PDFs and armed groups to join hands in building a union based on democracy and federalism, as well as holding elections.

Military and political analysts point out that the public is left with no choice, and that both sides need to provide an outlet for the public.

In Myanmar elections will be held in 267 townships in separate phases between December 2025 and January 2026, and state power will be handed over to the political party that wins the election, said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC.

CNI News

7 July 2025

The SAC invited the People's Defense Force (PDF) and armed groups to cooperate with the SAC to hold the elections that have been planned by the SAC, it announced on July 4, 2025.

The Hluttaw and government that will emerge from the multi-party democratic general election to be held will continue to negotiate and discuss the emergence of a union based on democracy and federalism, and the amendment of the constitution in accordance with that union, announced the SAC Information Team.

The government and the Tatmadaw will welcome and accept armed groups, including the PDF, if they stand legally within the framework of the law and work together with the government and the Tatmadaw to achieve national and regional benefits, anticipating the emergence of a union based on democracy and federalism, said in the statement.

If the actions of the CRPH and NUG go against their (PDF and armed groups) expectations, they should change their course and take the right path, said the SAC.  “Continuing on the armed path will not benefit the country and will only be a step backwards for democracy,” the SAC said.

In Myanmar, elections will be held in 267 townships in December 2025 and January 2026, and state power will be handed over to the political party that wins the elections, the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has said.

However, CRPH, NUG, PDF, and some ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) have announced that they will disrupt the elections to be held by the SAC. 

There are currently a total of 54 political parties that will compete in the elections to be held by the SAC, according to the Union Election Commission (UEC).

CNI News
6 July 2025

Planting trees and preserving them is very important for the present and future generations of the nation, said the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, at the second rainy season tree planting event in Nay Pyi Taw on July 4, 2025.

Everyone knows that trees provide numerous benefits to the earth and humans, and according to researchers, an environment with trees and greenery can reduce stress and improve mental health, said the SAC Chairman.

“Parks, streets, and rural and urban areas filled with trees provide opportunities for walking, relaxing, and finding shade, as well as providing a peaceful and beautiful natural environment, which has positive effects on human health. Therefore, planting and preserving trees is a very important and beneficial natural investment for the present and future generations of the country,” he said.

In the second rainy season trees planting event, the plan has been made to grow 3,000 trees for 2025. On June 15, 3,000 trees including 16 tree species were planted for the first time in the Yan Aung Myin Forest Reserve.

The SAC chairman said that the SAC has planned to designate 30 percent of the country's area as forest reserves and protected public forests and 10 percent as natural conservation area to increase the country's forest coverage area and conserve wildlife and unique geophysical sites.

During its tenure, the SAC has formed more than 660,000 acres of 61 forest reserves and protected public forests and more than 610,000 acres of 16 natural conservation areas.

And it has established 1,324 forest reserves and protected public forests on 25.94 per cent of land areas and 62 natural conservation areas on 6.43 per cent of the land areas, it is necessary to strive to meet the target areas of the forest coverage, he added.

It is pointed out that due to excessive timber production in Myanmar, droughts and floods occur almost every year.

CNI News

5 July 2025

 After the expansion of Mobile Force No. 6, it would carry out security and protection operations along the Chindwin River Basin, announced the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Kaplan/Ang Mai (NSCN-K/AM) on July 3, 2025. 

The NSCN-K/AM also said that it maintains good relations with other armed groups in the Naga region and adjacent areas in Myanmar.

“We have expanded the formation of Mobile Force No. 6, which will operate in strategically important areas. It will mainly operate in  Khiamniungan areas, Khanti Township , and will also carry out security and defense duties for the people living along the Chindwin River Basin,” it said.

Currently, the NSCN-K/AM has an understanding with the Myanmar Tatmadaw, is maintaining a neutral stance in the Myanmar political conflict, and is also engaged in peace talks with the Myanmar government.

NSCN-K/AM is active in Upper Sagaing Region, the Naga Self-Administered Zone, Khamti Township, and the Myanmar-India border. 

U Aung Mai, who led the NSCN-K/AM group, was expelled by the NSCN-K/YA group, and U Ang Mai formed the NSCN-K/AM as a new group on July 2, 2023.

U Ann Mai reportedly served as the personal officer and Home Minister of U Kaplang who led the NSCN-K until U Kaplang died.

CNI News

4 July 2025

They wanted the 1.8 million Myanmar migrant workers whose documents expired to be granted an extension as soon as possible under the new Thai labor minister, migrant workers' rights activists told CNI News. 

The Thai government has temporarily suspended the extension of visas and other documents for these 1.8 million Myanmar migrant workers who expired since February 13, 2025.

Amidst the current change in government in Thailand, no announcement has been made regarding the extension, but he hopes it will be implemented quickly, U Aung Kyaw, a labor activist, told CNI News.
 

"In the change of Thai politics, our labor affairs manager resigned, and now, 1.8 million of our migrant workers in Thailand are struggling with document renewal issues. I hope that when the new Minister of Labor takes office, the issue of extending the term of these workers will be quickly resolved. The 1.8 million Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand expired on February 13, 2025. There has been no implementation on extending their documents so far. "The Thai government has allowed these workers to work regularly until August 13 under the liberalization law. When will they be extended? I hope that the extension issues will be handled quickly under the new minister," he said.

While seeing Thai PM Paetongtarn who has been suspended from her post

Thai Labor Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn resigned on June 19 following a border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, and has been replaced by a new minister, Pongkawin Juangroongruangkit. Despite the change in the Minister of Labor, the labor issues will likely continue as planned under the previous minister, but if parliament is dissolved, changes could occur, said U Min Oo, who is helping with labor issues, to CNI News.

“The new Minister of Labor is continuing to work on labor issues as usual. Although the Ministry of Labor website states that the minister has changed, the 400 baht wage that was designated starting from July 1 has been officially approved. The new cabinet is expected to continue the work planned previously. If parliament is dissolved and elections are held, change could happen. For the time being, they will continue to implement the measures set by previous ministers," he said.

Thailand is currently in a political crisis due to the Thai-Cambodian border conflict, and Prime Minister Paetongtarn has been suspended from office and is under investigation by the court. 
Then, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit  (70) took over as interim Prime Minister. 

Currently, Paetongtarn has been suspended from her post until the court's final ruling, but remains in the government as Minister of Culture.