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.

CNI News

4 July 2025

Mr. Liu Zhongyi, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Public Security of China, met with U Than Swe, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the SAC, in Nay Pyi Taw on July 3, 2025.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that they discussed further strengthening the existing friendly relations between Myanmar and China, promoting legal cooperation to combat cross-border crimes, and promoting cooperation between relevant departments of the two countries to combat online gambling and fraud networks along the border region.

In addition, they discussed issues such as enhancing cooperation  among Myanmar, China and Thailand, including cooperation with the regional and international community, and maintaining peace and stability along the Myanmar-China border.

China is a country that supports the SAC's peace processes and the elections that will be held by the SAC.

CNI News

4 July 2025

If elections were held, it would be an exit for the people, and politicians would have to convince the people to vote in the elections, the National Democratic Force Party (NDF) Vice Chairman U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News. 

The SAC chairman said that elections will be held in Myanmar in December 2025 and January 2026, and that state power would be hand over to  the party that wins the elections.

The current situation is a crisis for everyone, and there is a question of what other way out is there, but what needs to be done must be done, National Democratic Force Party(NDF) Vice Chairman U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News. 

While seeing political parties and the SAC Chairman

"We politicians need to make sure that the public understands that voting in this election is their way out. We need to do what we have to do. At the current level, what other way out is there? The public is in a lot of trouble. The election is an important step towards returning to normalcy. This is a turning point. I am talking about holding an election because it can change the situation without causing any harm to the public. We need to tell the public how to vote. Public voting is the way out. We also have to say that their voting is their way out. I hope that the public's regular hearing of the election will wake them up to vote in the election," he said.

The 2008 Constitution does not stipulate a quorum for an election, depending on the voting percentage. So if an election was held, a quorum would be reached, said Sai Htay Aung, chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party, to CNI News. 

While seeing those who will vote

"The 2008 Constitution does not stipulate a quorum for an election depending on the voting percentage. so as soon as the election was finished, it would be quorum. We presented and discussed it. We are discussing how those who have fled the war and those who are abroad can also vote." he said.

The NUG, the PDFs, and the EAO have announced that they will completely disrupt the upcoming elections that will be held by the SAC. 

Then, the public is considering whether they should vote in the election or not. However, some people have decided not to vote at all, due to concerns that polling stations will be attacked.

In addition, some people have decided not to vote because they do not like the stance and history of the political parties that will run the election.

CNI News

3 July 2025

The GDP of the country has been expected to reach US$81.6 billion in the 2025-26 fiscal year, and the target is to increase it by about US$5.2 billion, said the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. 

He said that a country's economy is measured by GDP, and that in the 2024-25 fiscal year, the country's GDP was 76.4 billion US dollars, and it is expected to reach 81.6 billion US dollars in the 2025-26 fiscal year, aiming to increase by about 5.2 billion US dollars.

The SAC Chairman made the remarks at a business coordination meeting held on July 2, 2025 to improve the country's economy. 

"While we are working to meet our goals, the World Bank previously projected our country's economy to grow by 2.5%, but now estimates it could shrink by as much as -2.5%. It has been found that the data they have calculated is inaccurate and incomplete. What's important for our country is that we really need to work," he said.

He pointed out that Belarus' GDP is US$73.1 billion, and its agricultural exports earn between US$6.8 billion and US$8.2 billion, while Myanmar's agricultural exports earn only about US$4.8 billion.

The World Bank expects the country's GDP to decline, but if the country's residents make efforts, the country's GDP will increase. 

Moreover, In comparison with ASEAN countries and neighboring countries, Myanmar's GDP is low. So, it is necessary to make every effort to improve manufacturing in order to increase GDP, he said.

CNI News

3 July 2025

Most people in Myanmar still do not have a clear understanding of what democracy is, the Karen People's Party Chairperson Daw Nant Khin Aye Oo told CNI News.
In Myanmar, on February 1, 2021, the Myanmar military overthrew the NLD government and has seized power, claiming that it was attempting to form a government without resolving the election voter list dispute. 

Then, the people protested and demanded the return of democracy, and they are demanding it through armed revolution.

Most people in Myanmar still do not have a clear understanding of democracy and are only interested in changing from military rule, said  Daw Nant Khin Aye Oo. 

While the Peace Forum was being held

"When we were going to change from a one-party system to a multi-party democracy, most people in the country weren't ready yet. They just wanted to change from military rule. They didn't have a clear understanding of what democracy was. It was a bit awkward. In the villages, people don't know anything about democracy. They just understood that democracy was only a name of a person. If democracy meant undiscipline freedom, then it would be very dangerous. Democracy is, in reality, about rules and regulations, whether it's about taxes or anything else, everyone has to follow the rules. But in our country, there has been rule of law. There are still discriminations among the ruling class and social classes. These need to be reformed." she said.

Currently, Myanmar is divided into groups, those who want to build a democratic federal union and those who want to build a federal democratic union.

The NCA stipulates the establishment of a union based on democracy and federalism. Many people are unclear about the future federal system they want in Myanmar, and democracy is something that people interpret as they see fit, and it should not be interpreted in a wishful thinking manner, Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI  News.

 While seeing those who were demanding democracy (photo: Frontier Myanmar)

"Democracy is something that people define in their own way. They argue about democracy in different ways. Is it typical democracy or socialist democracy, etc. The war is long. War refugees who have been abroad and refugees within the country, are more likely to be in the opposite side, both in terms of education and ideology. We need to have people who can think and reason from all sides. Is social democracy wrong or liberal democracy wrong? In our country, we use one term: democracy. We use another term: federalism. Some ethnic groups favor the federal side. Some ethnic groups are more inclined towards federalism. So, even if  they don't get democracy, they will stick to federalism.  They will carry out for the right to self-governance, which is the right to self-determination, for their own region, their own people, their own territory. They do not accept multi-party democracy. They will rule their region with one party. They are more attracted to their own interests and to the interests of their own group," he said.

Although the current peace and political discussions in Myanmar are seeking answers on how to build the country, no specific agreements have been reached yet.

CNI News

3 July 2025

 The 2008 constitution currently in force in Myanmar should be reformed and brought into line with the times, military and political analysts told CNI News. 

Attempts to amend the 2008 Constitution have been made since the previous NLD and USDP governments, but have not been successful. 

However, during the current SAC administration, discussions between the NSPNC and the working group of the political parties' group resulted in an agreement to amend the 43 basic principles, according to political parties.

The current political situation in Myanmar has proven that the 2008 Constitution needs to be amended and it needs to be amended in line with the times, Dr. Nyo Nyo Thin, founder of the Yangon Watch Group, told CNI News. 

While seeing the book on the 2008 Constitution

“The 2008 Constitution will definitely be amended. The military has agreed to amend it. The previous NLD government also tried to amend it. Everyone who is involved in politics doesn't opposes amending the Constitution. The 2008 Constitution was drafted based on the ideologies and conditions of Myanmar before the year 2000. Today's political landscape proves that 25 years later, we need to make practical changes. There is instability in the country today. There are disputes.No one can deny that these are weaknesses of the Constitution. "So, the respective state-holders have already agreed to amend the constitution. No one rejects that it will be amended," she said.

When the NSPNC and political parties discussed amending the constitution last January, they approved 10 amendments to Chapter 1 of the constitution, 7 amendments to the legislature, 3 amendments to the heads of state, and 10 amendments to the administration.

The 2008 constitution was drafted by the Myanmar Tatmadaw to ensure the perpetuation of their power and a new constitution must be drafted to reshape the country, U Myo Kyaw of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) told CNI News.

While seeing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

"If the current power holders and the military truly want the country to develop, progress, and stabilize, they will have to give up their power. Although they (Myanmar Tatmadaw) are saying other things without giving up their power, it won't make any difference.  Even if they can go with their allies, even if they can overcome the current difficulties, it won't last for many years. We will face the same bad situation again. So, we must give the ethnic people their original rights. I would like to say that we will have to reshape our country with a new constitution, new people, and a good constitution," he said.

During the 2020 Hluttaw session, the NLD proposed to amend almost the entire 2008 Constitution. However, the amendment could not be made because it required the support of more than 75 percent of the members of the Hluttaw.

 As the modern era has become a technological era, there is a need to draft a constitution that is compatible with the thinking of young people, the geopolitical conditions of neighboring countries, and the socio-economic conditions within Myanmar, pointed out military and political analysts.