CNI News

27 June 2025

Despite the rising electricity prices in Myanmar, the Ministry of Electricity needs to transparently inform the public about the circumstances and rates at which the increases have been made, business owners and the public have pointed out. 

Businesses, including those from the lower classes, are facing rising living costs and business operating costs due to the increase in electricity rates, businessman U Aung Pyae Sone told CNI News.

"The electricity that is provided in our country is distributed by the government in three ways: first, hydroelectric power, electricity generated from natural gas, and coal. The most is obtained from hydroelectric power. Currently, only half of the country's electricity consumption can be supplied, so  the electricity is being provided to Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw, and Mandalay by percentage. However, there has been no announcement yet why the electricity bill has increased or how much it has been increased. Has the electricity bill gone up if over 50 units are used instead of an increase in the bill only if more than 100 units are used? The Ministry of Electricity needs to make a public announcement on this issue. The ministry needs to inform the public why the electricity bills increase or that the bills have not increased. It's necessary that the people strongly believe they have to pay more only because they used more electricity. At a time like this, the grassroots are in a difficult situation. If they have to pay more for the electricity, it could cause difficulties for them," he said.

While announcing the increase in electricity bills

The Ministry of Electricity announced on August 30, 2024, that the electricity tariff for household use was designated 50 kyats per unit for 1 to 50 units, 100 kyats per unit for 51 to 100 units, 150 kyats per unit for 101 to 200 units, and 300 kyats per unit for 201 units and above. 

It was announced that the electricity consumption fee for commercial use would be designated 250 kyats per unit for 1 to 5,000 units, 400 kyats per unit for 5,000 to 20,000 units, and 500 kyats per unit for 20,000 units and above.

While seeing the electricity bill

Economic analyst U Htay Aung Kyi told CNI News that the increase in electricity rates should not happen at a time when the economic situation in Myanmar is bad.

It is known that electricity is not yet available nationwide in Myanmar, and the cities of Yangon and Mandalay are provided on a rotating basis, with 4 hours on and 4 hours off per day.A housewife said that electricity bills have increased by half, and that while she used to pay only 40,000 kyats, she is now paying up to 80,000 kyats.

CNI News

26 June 2025

Military and political analysts told CNI News that the revolutionary forces could expand more territories in the period before the elections to be held by the SAC. 

The SAC has announced that the elections will be held in phases, in December 2025 and January 2026. 

Therefore, the revolutionary forces could have their chance to expand the territories anymore in the period before the elections, China-Myanmar affairs analyst Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw told CNI News.

“It will be more intense at this time because the revolutionary groups have the opportunity to attack. No matter how hard they attack, they might win because the Myanmar Tatmadaw is collapsing. So they will continue. The war could become more intense this year and next year.Some EAOs such as the MNDAA and the TNLA seem to strengthen the territories that they have already captured. But revolutionary forces such as the PDFs in the mainland can expand teritories if they have oppotunities. Battles can contunue to take place. The AA also goes on fighting." she said.

While seeing Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the meeting of the NDSC

The SAC chairman extended the tenure of the SAC for six months because stability was needed to hold a free and fair general election, which will expire at the end of July.

After that term ends,  power will be transferred back to the National Defense and Security Council because the SAC has promised that it will hold elections in December 2025, military and political analysts have predicted.

Therefore, the military tension between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and revolutionary forces is likely to increase in the period before the election and  the SAC is conducting military operations throughout Myanmar, and because partner countries that sell weapons to the SAC are also facing wars, the SAC may be in need of weapons, pointed out military and political analysts. However, the Myanmar Tatmadaw may not have difficulties because it has its own weapons manufacturing facilities and can purchase weapons from other countries. 

Moreover, if necessary, it can purchase weapons illegally, as pointed out by some people.

While seeing the KIA

While there may be more territorial expansion in the run-up to the election, the Myanmar Tatmadaw will focus on controlled areas more than lost areas, Myanmar political analyst Dr. Aung Myo told CNI News.

“They will fight hard. The ones that will be particularly problematic are the AA and the KNU. The AA has gone too far. The KNU has gone too far in their talk. Now, they know they can’t win. Now, they are fighting in a face-saving attempt. They can't image that they can dominate the country although they have been able to capture military camps in the jungle near the Thai border. Finally, they will return to the conversation. Or they will face something worse. The Myanmar Tatmadaw will try to maintain control of the territories it has currently controlled." he said.

The Myanmar military seized power on February 1, 2021, and established the SAC and rule the country. As a result,  armed groups and democracy activists are attempting to overthrow  the SAC through armed rebellion. 

Then, after intense armed clashes broke out across Myanmar, the Myanmar Tatmadaw lost hundreds of military bases, including the West Command, and more than 90 townships.

In these circumstances, the SAC chairman has stated that elections will be held between December 2025 and January 2026, and that the state power will be transferred to the winning party. On the other hand, armed resistance forces have vowed to disrupt the elections to be held by the SAC.

CNI News

26 June 2025

The Danu People's Liberation Army (DPLA/DPLF) held the ceremony of the No.6 military training course completion and arming on 21 June, 2025. The DPLA said the ceremony was held in the territory controlled by its ally, the TNLA.

DPLA Chairman U Tun Tun Naing said, “We must protect the people in our Danu region with loyalty, obey orders, and fight the military dictatorship without losing heart under any circumstances.” 

The DPLA stated that the military training lasted for more than three months, focusing on protecting the people in the Danu region, constantly alerting them to the enemy, and developing combat skills.

The Danu Army (DPLA) is an armed group that emerged with the 2021 Spring Revolution and is fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw in northern Shan State alongside the TNLA.

According to Article 56 (b) of the 2008 Constitution, the Danu people have been granted the territory combining Ywangan Township and Pindaya Township in Shan State as the Danu Self-Administered Zone.

CNI News

26 June 2025

There are considerations among military and political analysts about what kind of system a federal democratic union should be that would guarantee and encompass all ethnic groups in Myanmar.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw has said that Myanmar should be a country based on geography, not ethnicity, and that states should be named geographically, not ethnically, U Khun Sai, who is involved in the peace process, told CNI News.

However, he said that the ethnic groups do not accept the idea of erasing their ethnic names while not receiving any ethnic rights. 

The leaders who govern the country must be aware that ethnic groups are being oppressed and are worried that their ethnicity will disappear. They must provide ethnic rights first and then take action step by step.

While seeing those who were demanding to build the federal democratic union

“What was previously called Burma is now called Myanmar, and Myanmar is an all encompassing term. Most of us ethnic groups do not accept this either. We have to choose a name that the majority will accept,” said other ethnic leaders.  So if we want our country to be good, we cannot suddenly change it while ethnic groups are giving priority to their names. This is a matter that will have to be dealt with step by step. Currently, ethnic minorities are facing oppression and fear of disappearance of their nationalities. The leaders who govern our country must be aware of this. They can't do what they want right away. They have to do it step by step. They have to give ethnic rights. When ethnic groups achieve their rights, the issue of race will no longer be an important issue. At that time, not only race, but human rights will be there. Human rights will become even more important. When human rights become important, the issue of race will gradually disappear. That's what I believe." he said.

The SAC and the NUG have each stated that they will build a union based on federalism and democracy in the future, and they are organizing ethnic armed groups and political parties, but they have not stated exactly what kind of union they will build.

All ethnic groups and races must work together to establish a federal democratic union that ensures peaceful coexistence, said the Karen National Union (KNU) Chairman Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win  in his speech on the 76th anniversary celebration of the Kawthoolay Day on June 14.

Since  under the government of retired President U Thein Sein, there had been many discussions with ethnic groups and there were things that have been agreed upon, and through that, there were widespread demands, and there was no reason why any issue could not be negotiated at the table, Dr. Nyo Nyo Thin, founder of the Yangon Watch Group, told CNI News.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and leaders of ethnic groups

“Anyway, there is nothing that cannot be achieved if we sit around the table and negotiate. That is why it is very important for us to negotiate these issues at the table. So, we should come to the table. We should discuss. On the other hand, we should reduce tensions. Armed conflict is not the answer for this country. The answer for this country is to build a new state through discussions at round tables. So, I think that even if all the armed groups cannot lay down their arms for their own political goals, even if they cannot directly participate in the political tables themselves, they should form small groups on their behalf and discuss politically indirectly.” she said.

Some people point out that since Myanmar has many religions and ethnicities, it must go with federalism first and democracy should come after federalism. No matter how much democracy is given, the current political situation cannot be avoided without federalism. 

On the other hand, some people consider that only after efforts were made to achieve democracy, should attempts be made to achieve ethnic rights.

There were scraps of historical evidence why the Soviet Union collapsed because of complications between democracy and federalism. Currently, there are political conflicts in the US because of complications between democracy and federalism, some people pointed out.

CNI News

26 June 2025

There are various opinions among military and political observers as to why it is possible that civil servants will be assigned to various levels of the Election Commission to oversee the upcoming elections in Myanmar.

The Union Election Commission Law, Section 14, was amended on June 19, 2025, to provide that every level of the election commission shall be formed by at least three persons, either public servants or individuals who are trusted and respected by the public. 

Among these persons, one suitable person shall be appointed as the chairman, and the relevant election officer shall be appointed as the secretary.

It is difficult for civilians to participate in election commission branches because there are threats to sabotage the election. Therefore, preparations may be made to replace them with civil servants, the National Democratic Force (NDF) vice-chairman U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News.

While seeing the statement of the the Union Election Commission law amendment

" There are people who have said they will sabotage the electon without fail. Since the elders of the town, who are impartial, are worried about their safety, many of them don't serve in the Election Commission, so I think it will be a case of giving the responsibility to civil servants. The SAC has said that it will conduct a dignified election. Since it has said that, if the Election Commission is formed with civil servants, will the civil servants be safe? Will they have to worry about something? These are such things that can be considered. Whether the commission is made up of elders of towns or civil servants, we want to change the country as quickly as possible whoever wins the election. Compared to the military taking power, as a civilian administration is internationally accepted, we will agree and cooperate with holding elections in the country," he said.

The third amendment to the Union Election Commission Law has been enacted, SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing announced on June 19. 

Tai Leng (Shanni) National Development Party Chairman U Sai Htay Aung told CNI that he believed that the amendment to the law that allows civil servants to be assigned as chairpersons of the election commission branches would not have much impact. 

He added that assigning civil servants to the various commission branches would make the election more fair, as civil servants would lose their positions if they did wrongly.

While the election results were being announced

“The impact is not very big. If they do something wrong, they will be worried that the political parties will complain and they will lose their positions. They will do it properly. In our experience, in the 2020 election, the commission itself was completely on the side of the NLD party. We took photos and videos of the voting irregularities and then complained to the commission. The commission called a plenary meeting. When the political parties were called, we showed projectors. The commission asked, "Don't you know that taking photographies is not allowed at this voting place?" We have documented the irregularities on the other side. If this happens to civil servants who serve in the Election Commission, our political parties wto won't remain silent. If political parties complain, they may lose their positions. Therefore, I see that they won't do something wrong." he said.

The SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has said that Myanmar will hold elections in phases, in December 2025 and January 2026. 

The state power would be transferred to the winning party. He wanted the election to be a dignified election and a dignified parliament to emerge, he said.

The ethnic armed groups, the National Unity Government (NUG), the People's Defense Forces (PDF), and the Local People's Defense Forces (LPDF), have announced that they will completely disrupt the elections to be held by the SAC.

CNI News

25 June 2025

SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing will visit Belarus and attend the Europe-Asia Economic Forum (EEF 2025), SAC's Information Team announced on June 24, 2025. 

The SAC Chairman will visit Belarus at the invitation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and attend the economic forum.

However, the exact date of the visit was not announced, but the SAC announced that the official visit will begin in a few days. 

During the visit, the SAC Chairman will attend the Fourth Europa-Asia Economic Forum (EEF 2025), hold a separate meeting with President Lukashenko, the rotating chairman of the EAEU, and hold a meeting with the Chairman of the Board of the Europa-Asia Economic Commission.

The SAC chairman will then visit factories and workshops, and after completing his visit to Belarus, he will travel to Russia. 

The SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the Myanmar-Belarus Economic Forum held in Minsk, Belarus, on March 7, 2025, and also met separately with Belarusian President Lukashenko to discuss bilateral security and economic issues.

CNI News

25 June 2025

The country will be able to meet its electricity needs as soon as possible through domestic production of high-quality solar panels and solar-powered electricity generation, said the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

He said this during an inspection visit to the Shwe Katha Company Limited's solar panel factory in Yangon Region on June 21, 2025.

“We can get the electricity we need for our country as soon as possible through solar power generation. We need to work to produce the raw materials needed for solar panels domestically. For example, we need to find ways to produce raw materials such as silicon domestically. By producing enough solar panels domestically, we can meet much of the domestic electricity needs,” he said.

Since it is a renewable energy source and does not harm the environment, it should be encouraged. Moreover, domestically produced solar panels should be of equal quality to those imported from abroad. 

Furthermore, solar production technologies that are changing and improving in line with the times should be continuously studied and upgraded, he said.

Armed conflicts have emerged in Myanmar due to the changing political landscape since February 1, 2021.

Then, due to the destruction of electricity towers, the halting of hydroelectric projects, and the increasing need for foreign exchange, the distribution of electricity within Myanmar has declined significantly.

Therefore, Myanmar had to distribute electricity on a schedule of 4 hours on and 4 hours off per day, or 4 hours on and 8 hours off per day.

These conditions have led to widespread use of inverters and solar panel installations in Myanmar.

CNI Interview

24 June 2025

The civil war in Myanmar has lasted for more than 70 years, from 1948 to the present. The civil war was caused by the lack of equal rights for ethnic groups, the failure to build a federal union, and the collapse of democracy. 

CNI contacted and asked U Khun Sai, who is involved in the peace process, about these circumstances.

Q. How important is the role of ethnic groups, both politically and militarily, in the political landscape of Myanmar for more than 4 years?

Answer: The role of ethnic groups has been important since before independence. The population is not the main thing. The main thing is that ethnic groups are present in more than half of our country. Since independence, they have not implemented the agreements. 

They said that they would establish a federal system, but when they actually established it, they only established a unitary system. Now, when they say they will establish a federal system instead of a unitary system, they say the central government will have more power. If we do this unilaterally, our country will never be peaceful.

The C in C said that anything that is included in the constitution can be amended except for 'Three Our National Causes for the peace of our country. Then, after the NCA was signed, the Panglong Agreement is the main thing for Three Our National Causes. If we follow that agreement, we don't have to worry about three our national causes.

However, they only focus on 'our three national causes' and ignore the Panglong Agreement. If they only treat this agreement in name, our country will become even more confused. It is already confusing. What we want is a federal system, but what was established was a unitary system, and the situation in the country has worsened.

In this situation, the Panglong Agreement cannot be used to cure the disease. It may even reach the stage of surgical treatment. If we all do not solve this with a strong attitude, if they will continue to spread the disease by curing it with the medicine that doesn't agree with the disease, then without controlling the country, our country will fall under the control of another country.

Q.  In the recent statement of the KNU, it was mentioned that it aims to establish a federal democratic union that guarantees peaceful coexistence for all ethnic groups and people. What do they mean by a federal democratic union that guarantees all nationalities and people? How do you understand it, Sir?

A. That is something you have to ask them. You can't ask me. However, from what we understand, since the new constitution was being drafted, the Myanmar Tatmadaw said that our country needs to be a country based on geography, not ethnicity. They also said that the names of the states should be based on geography, not ethnic names. 

This was not accepted by the ethnic groups. The SNLD itself said that the reason it did not accept it was not because it was narrow-minded. We are not narrow-minded. While there are no ethnic rights in our country right now, their names will have to be erased, which they cannot accept. 

Another thing is that what was previously called Burma is now called Myanmar. Myanmar is an all-encompassing term. This is also not accepted by most of our ethnic groups. Other leaders have said that we all should choose a name together that the majority of us can accept. 

So, if we want to improve our country, we can't suddenly change our ways while the other side is giving priority to the names of ethnic groups. This is a matter that we will have to go through step by step. In the United States, there are no Arizonan ethnicity in Arizona. 

There are no Texas ethnicities in Texas. To become like that, we have to go through step by step. I want to be like that too. But right now, ethnic groups are being oppressed. They are worried that their ethnicity will disappear. The leaders who govern our country need to be careful of this. We can't do what we want right away. We have to do it step by step. 

We will do it step by step. We will give ethnic rights. Later, when ethnic rights are achieved, the issue of ethnic names will not be an important issue. At that time, human rights will be achieved. Human rights will become even more important. When human rights become the main focus, the issue of race will gradually disappear. I believe so.

Q. . In the current Myanmar politics, most people are pointing out that China is very influential. They say that because of China's influence, the Myanmar Tatmadaw  has regained some areas in northern Shan State. What is your opinion on this , Sir?

A.: This is something we have to ask China. However, we all have to admit that this is because we are not up to standard. In this matter, the Tatmadaw is also poor and so are our ethnic groups. It is because everyone is weak. Nations that cannot solve their own problems must accept other countries that will come and solve their problems.

Q. So, is there any possibility that a path towards dialogue in Myanmar politics could emerge this year? How do you see it?

A. They will discuss on 25th, on 26th, on 27th June. We will wait and see how the situation will be. But if we talk about the mentality of many organizations that are currently opposing the Myanmar Tatmadaw, the voice that there is no reason to discuss blood debt is still louder. This situation will have to be watched for a while. It is not possible immediately.

Q.  So what will the political landscape in Myanmar be like after the end of July?

A. We will have to watch this discussion on June 25, 26, and 27. After that, they may announce the election date in July. Then, if they announce it, we will also study the laws and regulations that will emerge.

CNI News

23 June 2025

The Burma National Revolutionary Army (BNRA) will not hinder or obstruct the choices of those serving in the education and health sectors, the BNRA said in a statement dated June 17, 2025.

The Committee for Representation of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) issued a law on June 17, 2025, stating that action will be taken against government employees who do not join in the CDM as a movement of civil disobedience.

Then, in Konpaya (Nyaungpinkan) Village, Nyaung-U Township, Mandalay Region, a group of armed men shot and killed the principal of a basic education high school (branch) and her husband. “People in war-torn areas know that while we strive to create a better era in the country’s history, the education of students and the healthcare of the public are facing many difficulties.” said in the statement released by the BNRA.

While seeing the statement released by the BNRA

Then, BNRA announced that “the education of young students and the public health sector” are the “present and future” of the country. 

“The Burma National Revolutionary Army (BNRA) will not hinder the choices of those working in the education and health sectors, taking into account of the future of students and young people who are important in trying to create a better future for the country. If those working in the "education and health sectors" encounter difficulties or harm, we will do our best to support them." said in the statement.

The BNRA is an armed organization that has taken up arms to overthrow the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the SAC in response to the political crisis in Myanmar that has erupted since February 1, 2021. 

The group is an armed group that originated in Pale Township, Sagaing Region.