CNI News

29 November 2024

Karim A. A Khan, attorney general of the International Criminal Court (ICC) applied to the ICC to issue the arrest warrant for Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), which the SAC doesn't recognize, announced the SAC on 27th November 2024. 

The attorney general of the ICC, Mr. Karim A.

A Khan applied to the ICC to issue warrant to arrest Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing for the crimes committed against Bengali people in Rakhine State on 27th November 2024.

" Myanmar is not a member of the ICC and it never recognize the statements of the ICC. Myanmar is using the non-aligned policy that is independent and active  in relation with other countries as well as peaceful co-existence policy." reported the SAC.

There were anymore of warrants to apply, said Attorney General Karim A. A Khan to international media. 

Because the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) attacked border guard posts and police stations in Rakhine State in 2017, the Myanmar Tatmadaw carried out a clearance operation. 

And then, Bengali people who lived in Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Rathedaung Townships fled to Bangladesh.

Although the Myanmar government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi tried to receive the Rohingya people who would re-enter, it has not realized up to now.

During the above-mentioned incident, international community accused Myanmar of committing genocide and Gambia prosecuted Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Daw aung San Suu Kyi attended the trial and solved.

CNI News

28 November 2024

Myanmar's neighboring countries must take the AA's role into account in the issues of Rakhine and Bengali because its political dignity has increased, pointed out political commentators. 

If the talks regarding the issue of Rakhine were conducted, negotiations must be conducted with the AA and the SAC could not indulge the situation, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" According to current situation, there is only one strategic military camp of the SAC left in Maungdaw. The issue of Rakhine is the same as that of Kachin. If you talk about the issue of Rakhine, you'll have to negotiate with the AA. The military council won't indulge. But in any case, 75 or 80 percent of Rakhine State has been under the control of the AA that is trying hard to free Rakhine State from the military council. Sittwe, Ann and Gwa only are left with the military council. The regions in the ethnic areas which the SAC can control are gradually decreasing and will die out." he said.

While seeing a junction in Rakhine State

In solving to make Bengalis go home, the role of the AA must be taken into account, said Mr. Hodson, advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. 

Because the AA was able to capture many towns, no one could not ignore it, he added.

" The AA said that it would help for the livelihood of Rohingya or Bengali people who had lived in Rakhine State for so many years. The AA seems to treat properly with ordinary Rohingya people. The AA is able to capture many towns. Its political dignity has increased. No one can ignore that. So, if we talk about the issue of Rakhine, we must take the AA into account." said Mr. Hodson.

Bangladeshi government and Myanmar government agreed to send Bengali people in Bangladesh back to Myanmar on 23rd November 2027. 

However, the agreement has not been able to be fully carried out up to now.

CNI News

28 November 2024

The National Unity Government (NUG) may call all the revolutionary armed groups to peace discussion, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News. 

China has big influence on both the State Administration Council (SAC) and revolutionary groups, which must not be ignored and it was necessary so as not to produce side-effects from that situation, said Acting President of the NUG, Duwa Lashila at the meeting of the NUG on 26th November 2024.

If the NUG was to go to a peace talk, consents among revolutionary groups should have had before going there, said Dr.Hla Kyaw Zaw.

" Side effects what he said seems to mean that northern armed groups should take care so as not to hurt relations with China. In my opinion, the NUG may call a peace discussion with all revolutionary groups. He seems to pave the way for the peace discussion of all revolutionary groups before discussing with the military council. China is putting pressure on the military council to discuss. So, before meeting with the military council, he seems to mean in order to present things in a unison to the military council." she said.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Chinese PM Li Chang

Moreover, China's pressure must not be ignored and it was necessary to have a think so as not to make side effects from that situation as well as to practically think outside the box and carry out, said Duwa Lashi La.

Any revolution was not successful in history and now was the time when discussions for the stability, peace and development should be conducted , chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

" Because armed conflicts including the NUG are taking place in Myanmar, mediation or intervention of the neighboring powerful countries is needed. The first is China and the second, India and now, Thailand to mediate armed conflicts in Myanmar. If we review the whole revolution history, with different independence forms and various resents, armed conflicts took place. Meanwhile, the public had to suffer. Now the NUG emerged. Any revolution was not successful on the Myanmar soil in history. Before the NUG emerged, there were the CRPP and the NCGUB in 1990s. They have died out in the end. The NUG also seems to fade out like a mothball. But all the people regarding Myanmar are considering that the political stability and development are needed. So, how will the SAC be going ahead. It's the when the answer should be found only after discussion and conclusion." he said.

While seeing leaders from the AA, the MNDAA and the TNLA

It was necessary to conduct mutual negotiations while it was more necessary to send message from revolutionary forces that they would discuss in a unison in a mild manner, pointed out political analysts.

China firmly opposed wars and turbulence in Myanmar and sincerely hoped that stability would be restored soon in the country, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning in her regular press conference on November 26, 2024.

China would continue to actively promote talks for peace and provide support and assistance to Myanmar’s peace process to the best of its capability. Moreover, China was paying close attention to the situations in Myanmar, said Mao Ning.

CNI News

28 November 2024

Because the State Administration Council (SAC) has limited the distribution of fuel oil to the townships in Sagaing Region a few days ago, the prices of fuel oil have skyrocketed. 

Tamu and Kalay Towns are included in the towns where fuel oil is not allowed to be carried and sold. 

At present, because fuel oil is being carried by waterway, although it does not run out, the prices of fuel oil are skyrocketing; although cheap fuel oil from India is entering, the quality is poor, said Ko Ye Lin Aung, a resident of Tamu, told CNI News.

" The prices of fuel oil are 32,000 kyats per gallon. But now the prices are a little stable because fuel oil is entering by waterway. The prices were about 40,000 kyats per gallon last month. We can't carry fuel oil to Tamu by road. Fuel oil is carried from Kalaywa to Yuwa, from Yuwa to Mawlike, from Mawlike to Kalay, from Kalay to Hesin, from Hesin to Tamu. Fuel oil enters from India. The prices are cheap, but the quality is poor. Fuel oil hasn't run out yet. But the prices are very high." he said. 

Moreover, the prices of fuel oil are getting higher in Monywa. Fuel oil whose price was 20,000 kyats per gallon before is currently over 30,000 kyats.

While a fuel station has been closed

During a few days after the limitation, although the prices were higher because so many people bought fuel oil, now that fuel oil is entering, the prices are declining a bit. 

In the daily flow of goods, if fuel oil that is important was limited, locals would face a lot of difficulties, Ko Htwe, a resident of Monywa told CNI News.

" The prices of fuel oil were higher. Fuel oil is entering. Before the limitation news came out, the prices were around 28,000 kyats. And then the prices were 32,000 to 34,000 kyats per gallon. But some fuel stations didn't raise the prices. People were afraid a few days that fuel oil would be limited. Everyone would be in trouble if the oil was limited because the fuel oil is essential for the flow of goods. It happened like that last year." he said.

Because of difficult transportation in the rainy season, the fuel oil ran out and the price of fuel oil was until over 8,000 kyats per liter in kalay and Tamu.

The townships that fuel oil quota was limited are Nawnghkio, Momeik, Lashio and Mong Yal in northern Shan State, and Minhla, Inndaw, Kyunhla, Mawlike, Katha, Chaung U, Tamu, Myinmu, Phaungbyin, Budalin, Nabar, Kantblu, Myaung, Debayin, Kawlin and Khin Oo in Sagaing Region and, Mogok and Myingyan in Mandalay Region as well as Pauk in Magway.

CNI News

27 November 2024

If the Arakan National Party would have to register in another name after changing the current name so that it would be allowed to register, it had no mind at all to do so, member of the policy steering committee of the ALP, U Tun Aung Kyaw, told CNI News. 

Because the ANP was not abolished, it would carry out for the sake of the people although it was not allowed to register, he said.

" If we can register as the ANP again in accordance with the law, we will. But if we have been refused to register, we will carry out for the interests of the people. Because our party hasn't been abolished, the party will go on existing. Our party will be performing politically for the sake of the people. If we are asked to change the name of the party and register, we'll have no wish to do so." said U Tun Aung Kyaw.

While seeing leaders of the ANP

Because it was estimated that the SAC surely would hold the election in 2025, if the parties that were refused to register were allowed to register again, it would be better, he said. 

The ANP is a party that has won the popular support in a big way and its application for registration was rejected, reported the Union Election Commission (UEC) on 1st July.

Because the ANP was not consistent with the provisions of political parties registration law, it was rejected, according to the statement released by the UEC.

" There are two parts regarding political parties. Political parties that were inconsistent with the provisions of the political parties registration law were rejected although they had submitted applications for registration. This is one part. But although the government invited, if some parties didn't come, it would depend on the decisions of the parties concerned." said U Thein Tun Oo, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, to CNI News.

While seeing supporters of the ANP

The UEC has rejected the New Society Party, the Zomi League for Democracy Party, the People's Power Party, the Arakan National Party (ANP), the Kachin National Congress Party, the Democracy and Human Rights Party, the Union Development Party, the Chin People's Party and Democracy Party. 

According to the Political Parties Registration Law, organizations that have been declared unlawful associations, terrorist organizations as well as the organizations that are supporting directly or indirectly the armed organizations fighting against the State have been rejected to register.

Some former leaders of the ANP and members of the Hluttaw from the ANP are serving in the AA that has been declared a terrorist organization by the SAC, pointed out some people.

CNI News

27 November 2024

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has put the self-defense in its statement in which it was ready to discuss peace talks, which might be problematic, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News. 

With China's mediation attempts for the stability of border areas and ceasefire, because locals were suffering from battles, the TNLA was ready to discuss so that armed conflicts between the two sides could end, reported the TNLA on 25th November 2024.

In sympathy with the people suffering from war disaster, it was always ready to find an answer by discussing to solve various problems, maintaining the self-defense, reported the TNLA. If is really wanted to discuss for the peace and stability, it didn't need to put the self-defense in the statement, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, U Thein Tun O, told CNI News.

While seeing the statement released by the TNLA

" Frankly speaking, everyone is starved when they are sanctioned. There are no more resources left. And then, they have to speak to make peace. There are two parts in the statement kind of. What do they want to mean the self-defense is?  To discuss politically is federalism. It's very simple to send it on the roundtable. Other things still are not needed to think about. There is no reason to express the self-defense when they really want to discuss because there's no one who goes and attack to its territory. Because its statement is ambiguity, it might be problematic to carry out on the ground." he said.

The TNLA would go on cooperating until a good situation could arrive, viewing the Chinese mediation as a constructive attitude so that a stable and peaceful political situation could be built after ending armed conflicts, said in the statement. 

The self-defense meant to prevent from hurting the locals' security, U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator, told CNI News.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Chinese PM Li Chang

" To sum up, it's a tactics of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) that emerged from its meeting held about ten days ago, I think. The self defense is to protect the locals from the situations that can hurt them. That is to say, the TNLA wants to ask the military council whether it could suspend shooting by heavy weapons and air strikes, I think." he said.

If it really wanted to make peace, it could arrive on the path of discussion and negotiation and if it wanted to take a short rest to win the military goals by capturing any more of territories, it would not be convenient in the long run although the negotiation was held, said political analysts.

Only if the MNDAA, the TNLA and the AA showed clear and decisive actions that they wanted peace, would the SAC discuss with them, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC during his meeting with Chinese PM Li Chang in Haigeng Garden Hotel, China on 6th November 2024.

CNI News

27 November 2024

Over 20 delegates from 11 political parties, six EAOs, the Center for Peace and Reconciliation, and chairman and secretary of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) went on a trip to India to study the constitution and federalism.

The excursion was something helpful to build Myanmar, said those who were included in the trip. CNN News contacted and interviewed Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), an NCA signatory about the excursion.

CNI News                     ။          ။ Which parts (of the constitution and federalism) did you study in your excursion to India?

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin ။          ။ Mainly, I studied the roles of President and Vice President and governors as well as how states have been organized. Next, I studied the Finance Commission. Besides, we studied administrative systems for village and ward. Moreover, we studied the rights of minorities.

CNI News                     ။           ။ Well then, which points should be taken out from India for the federalism that will be built in Myanmar?

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin ။           ။ We should emulate how India was established. Mizoran State tried to secede and so did Nagaland. But they don't try to secede now. According to the constitution of India, any states or territories are not allowed to secede. It's the most important how they tried to become a federal union. They are over 200 races in India where 22 languages are imposed as office languages including English.

CNI News                    ။             ။ What is the India's administrative system? How is the division of power used?

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin ။            ။ The authority of the President has been separately mentioned. Governors have control on the chief ministers' administrations. Controlling systems are enacted in the India's constitution. 

It's necessary to think about carefully whether the position of governor should be used in Myanmar. The administration even in village and ward is very democratic. If there are authorities concerned, will it be necessary to secede? Because authorities are wanted, are battles being waged, aren't they?

In India, a very large country, the population is over 1,000 million people and there are many religions. The qualification that can rule this big country without making secession take place is very impressive.

But there was a problem in India when it gained her independence. There were arguments between Hindustanis and Muslims. Hindustanis considered it was not suitable to live with Muslims while the Muslims who wanted to build Pakistan considered to secede. There were different opinions and unrests between the two sides. In the end, Pakistan was allowed to secede. 

Pakistan was divided into East Pakistan and West Pakistan. In a situation that could not be controlled while there were different ideologies and religions, because of many conflicts, Pakistan was allowed to secede, which we had to learn.

CNI News                    ။           ။ What do you understand India thinks of the current situation of Myanmar?

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin ။          ။ India has designated Myanmar as a good neighboring country. It seems that India wants to see Myanmar without disintegration in a federal union like India.

CNI News                     ။           ။ What's the impact of the trip to India on Myanmar?

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin ။          ။ The main thing is to amend the constitution. Successive heads of State who ruled Myanmar should have thought that Myanmar is sandwiched by the most populous countries, India and China and the two big countries can have built their countries without being seceded and making conflicts take place. 

The current ruling leaders of the country seem to accept that we should study the constitution of India without fail. So, we were sent to India, I think.

When I know the administrative system of India, India has been built with patience and tolerance. In fact, there were many Maharajas in India. They wanted to rule their country as kings.

Discussions had to be held to make Maharajas live together in the same country, which could make federalism and then India emerged as a federal union. They said they emulated King Asoka.

CNI News                       ။            ။  As the last question, according to your experience that you studied the India's constitution and federalism, which systems should be emulated from India if a federal union is built in Myanmar?

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin  ။             ။ The main thing is the mind that will reform the country. Going on waging battles is not appropriate. All the stakeholders including in battles need to reform their mindset.

Even though not every stakeholder can take part in the union, those who can take part in need to think it over how the constitution should be amended. Building a federal union is the best so that we can liberate from the battle circle, I think.

CNI News

26 November 2024

As armed conflicts are severely taking place in Myanmar, the State Administration Council could intend to transform in January, 2025 in order find a political answer, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

The SAC could transform in January 2025 and a transformed government could arise in 2026, he said.

" He must have found an answer how to find an answer militarily and how to find an exit politically. He has said a general election will be held in 2025. it's likely that the SAC could intend to transform on 31st January 2025. There is a prospect that a transformed government could arise in 2026. The SAC should initiate to start political dialogues. It must give an opportunity that can solve the Myanmar political problem after an all-inclusive dialogue." said Dr. Aye Maung.

Efforts must be made so as not to make vote list wrong in the coming election, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the meeting of the SAC on 19th November 2024. 

While the Union Election Commission was meeting with political parties

Moreover, members of the SAC must carry out by division of duty. Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine would be used in the coming election, he added. 

And then, depending on the security, the election would be held at one place after another, he said.

At present, census-taking could be conducted for over 63 percent of the national population, he had estimated that it could be fully conducted in the end of 2024, he said. 

However, unless it was peaceful, it would not be easy to conduct census-taking in the whole country, chairman of the Arakan National Network, U Tin Htoo Aung told CNI News.

While seeing the Union Election Commission

" It's necessary to be peaceful in order to be able to conduct census-taking in the whole country. It's necessary to solve the political problem by the political means. Because they are not pleased with the coup, because they are not on the right track to democracy, our citizens are fighting against one another. Battles are taking place. So, in my opinion, it's not easy to conduct census-taking in the whole country." he said.

Census-taking has being conducted since 1st October and if the vote list was made, a general election would be held in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

China would provide assistance to the election that would be held by the SAC and want the election that would contain all the stakeholders, said Chinese FM Wang Yi during his meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 14th August 2024.

CNI News

26 November 2024

Myanmar political tension must be reduced with an elected government while the local conflict is severely taking place, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News. 

Moreover, it was necessary to hold an all-inclusive political dialogue, he added.

" It's necessary to hold an all-inclusive political dialogue. The whole world must urge to make the dialogue emerge. Every country that has anything to do with Myanmar must urge that and so must the public. Hold political dialogues, greet one another, shaking hands and then find a political answer. We have the constitution. The State Administration Council must back up so that like a transformed government that emerged from the State Peace and Development Council emerged, it's necessary to remember an elected government led by U Thein Sein in 2010. So, it's necessary to hold a general election as soon as possible. We have to try to relax the Myanmar political tension with an elected government." he said.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties

The SAC was making preparations in order to be able to hold a free and fair multi-party democratic general election in 2025, said chairman of the SAC Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The election was held again and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, adding that the SAC was continuously implementing to make the intention successful. 

Moreover, the SAC invited EAOs and PDFs to contact and carry out in order to be able to solve the political problem with the political means after abandoning their armed policy, reported the SAC on 26th September 2024.

The election was the first step in walking on the political path and an elected government was able to perform political resolutions, U Thein Tun Oo, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, told CNI News. 

While the Union Election Commission was meeting with political parties

" The election is the first step to walk on the political path for the stability of the country. Election comes with democracy. So, election must be passed through and then an elected government will emerge. That government will perform political resolutions." he said.

Rights wanted could not won by armed fighting and political means must be chosen; an elected government would emerge from the election and if armed groups attended to the political roundtable where the government invited armed groups politically, Their objectives and goals must be questioned, pointed out some political commentators.

China praised the invitations of the SAC to armed groups in order to solve politically and would help to make the election successful, said Chinese PM Li Chang during his meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in Kunming, China on 6th November.