CNI News

8 March 2025

If Russian investments arrived in Myanmar, private security forces from Russia might enter Myanmar in order to protect their investments, said military and political analysts.

According to Section.419 of the 2008 Constitution, the private security service law had been imposed, reported the State Administration Council (SAC) on 18th February 2025.

The agreements on the construction of Dawei Deep Sea Port and a small-scale nuclear power plant had been signed by Russia and Myanmar, and as those who do business would think about for their security, Russian security forces might enter Myanmar, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Force Party, U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News.

While seeing Russia's Wagna Security Company

" Myanmar and Russia have signed the agreements on the construction of the Dawei Deep Sea Port and a small-scale nuclear power plant in Myanmar. More agreements might follow. At any rate, those who do business will think about security. Because the private security service law has been enacted, Russian security forces might enter Myanmar to protect their investments and so might Chinese or Indian security forces. But, only when the bylaw comes out will it be more clear, I think." said U Htet Aung Kyaw.

According to the private security service law, foreign countries including China, India, Thailand and Singapore might form security forces and try to protect their projects, investments, staff and companies.

If Russia made investments in the Dawei Deep Sea Port, Russian security forces might enter Myanmar, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing the SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Russian President Putin after ten agreements were signed

" The SAC accepted the Chinese security companies because they said that they were to protect the Chinese investments. Chinese security forces are in Africa, Pakistan and Sudan to protect their investments. If Russia invests in the Dawei Deep Sea Port, Russia might send its security forces to the port. Chinese security forces have to take the security responsibility inside the investment areas only. But they are not allowed to carry weapons outside the investment areas. I don't know anything about the Russian security forces." said Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw.

Russia and the SAC signed the agreements on which Russia would invest in the construction of the Dawei Deep Sea Port, an oil refinery and the Dawei Special Economic Zone, reported the Russian Ministry of Economic Development on 23rd February 2025.

The SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing started his trip to Russia starting from March 3 and after he had met separately with Russian President Putin, Russian PM, secretary of the Russian Security Council and chairman of the Russian State Duma after which the two countries released a joint statement in which they signed the 10 agreements.

Moreover, the two countries reportedly discussed matters relating to the bilateral trade, economy, investment, security sector cooperation and building industrial businesses.

CNI News

8 March 2025

Russian President Putin invites the chairman of the State Administration Council to attend the Red Square Parade ceremony to mark the National Victory Day of Russia and the Myanmar Tatmadaw to take part in the parade.

The 82nd Anniversary Celebration of the National Victory Day will be held in Moscow on 9 May 2025 and the parade will be conducted at the Red Square.

" The 82nd National Victory Day Ceremony will be held in Moscow on 9th May and I invite dear Prime Minister to attend the ceremony and I want the force representing Myanmar to take part in the Red Square Parade as well." said Russian President.

After that, he wanted to discuss international issues; Russia and Myanmar agreed on most international issues and there were cooperation efforts on the international affairs, he said. 

While the SAC Chairman and Russian President Putin were holding a joint press conference

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing paid a goodwill visit to Russia starting March 3 at the invitation of Russian President Putin, and separately met and discussed with President Putin, Russian PM, secretary of the Russian Security Council, chairman of the Russian State Duma and the Russian government officials.

"We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome and the arrangements to make our goodwill visit smooth; we would also like to invite your Excellency the President to pay a goodwill visit to Myanmar at a suitable time." said the SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

During the SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing's trip, the two countries signed 10 agreements. After that, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing will continue his goodwill visit to Belarus at the invitation of Belarusian President Lukashenko and will discuss with the Belarusian President.

CNI News

7 March 2025

Russia and Myanmar agreed on the construction of a small-scale nuclear power plant in Myanmar, said in a joint statement by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Russian President Putin.

The Chairman of the State Administration Council, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing began his official goodwill visit to Russia on March 3 and met and discussed with Russian President Putin on March 4.

"Our intergovernmental cooperation commission is actively carrying out. The Trade Commission meeting was held in Natpyidaw not long ago. The two countries are cooperating in the energy sector and planning to cooperate strategically. We are prepared to extend our cooperation to other areas as well. Especially, the two countries are cooperating for the development of renewable energy sources and we, the two countries agreed to build a small-scale nuclear power plant in Myanmar." said the SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Once the nuclear power plant had been built, it would have been able to provide abundant electricity for Myanmar's economy, he said.

At present in Myanmar, as electricity could be provided for four hours only in the daytime, factories and workshops are facing a situation where business operations are slowing down and social costs are rising.

So, the SAC is implementing solar energy projects. During Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing's trip to Russia, the two countries signed 10 agreements between Myanmar and Russia, said in the joint statement.

Moreover, the two countries reportedly discussed matters relating to the bilateral trade, economy, investments, security sector cooperation and industrial development.

The SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing visited Russia in September 2022 and discussed with the Russian President Putin on 7th September that year.

CNI News

7 March 2025

Armed organizations in Myanmar were so reluctant to give up arms because they could easily make money with arms, chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) U Sai Htay Aung told CNI News.

"Armed groups are very reluctant to give up their weapons because it is so easy for them to do business with guns. To tell you frankly, they are shouting federalism and democracy, but not really. Their actions are proving that they really don't want federalism and democracy. Love the country not the individual. I would like to request them not to seek their own interests, using something like the personality-cult. I see no reason why peace should not be achieved if there is less selfishness and love for the country is united." said U Sai Htay Aung.

While seeing armed people

Currently in Myanmar, battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and armed groups, and during the battles, armed groups have seized control of more than 90 townships including the Northeast Command and the West Command.

The SAC has invited armed organizations to meet and discuss and so have the Three Brotherhood Alliance, but other armed organizations haven't invited to hold peace talks.

It was very rare that a political problem could be resolved by force of arms; it was difficult for armed organizations to accept the SAC's invitation and discuss because the SAC was supposed to be weak, said U Sai Htay Aung.

While the NSPNC and political parties were discussing

" In fact, it's very rare that a political problem can be solved by force of arms. They took up arms because political problems could not be resolved. But these problems must be resolved at the roundtable. The SAC invited each armed group to hold talks shortly after the coup. Currently, the SAC has invited armed groups again. But armed organizations will hardly come. Because the SAC is weak, they are disrespectful towards the SAC and they think they don't need to go. "In order for dialogue to take place and for national peace to be achieved, I would like to say to all these organizations, first of all, to reduce pride and love the country," he said.

The SAC discussed with the MNDAA and the TNLA. However, the discussion between the SAC and the TNLA was not convenient.

Mutually respect among the nationalities caused the cooperation between the two sides, and after reducing misunderstanding and conflicts, they could be resolved through discussion, the SAC Chairman had said.

CNI News

7 March 2025

It was necessary to be loyal to the State and the Tatmadaw, and because they were civil servants, they needed to stay away from party politics, said the chairman of the State Administration Council, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing to the civilian and military state scholar officers in Russia. He said the above while he was in Russia on a goodwill visit on 5 March 2025.

" State scholar officers need to be loyal to the State and as military personnel joined the Tatmadaw only after taking an oath that they would give their lives for the country, they need to abstain from engaging in any activity that could harm the interests of the state; they need to act with loyalty to the state and the Tatmadaw. In the same way, because they are civil servants, they need to avoid party politics." said the SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While the SAC was meeting with state scholars on 5th March 2025

According to Section.26 (A) of the 2008 constitution, civil servants must be free from party politics. Today is the era of AI technology, and so it is necessary to continuously study AI technologies;  state scholar officers needed to strive to learn and develop the technologies needed for Myanmar and they needed to try hard so as not to leave behind in technology, he said.

Although the SAC Chairman said that civil servants must be free from party politics, the Tatmadaw is always allowed to play a leading role in the national politics, imposed in Section. 6 (F) of the 2008 constitution, pointed out military and political analysts.

In the same way, the Tatmadaw takes 25 percent of the Hluttaws that emerge from elections and  it takes part in politics. 

While seeing the SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

So, that the SAC Chairman said that soldiers and civil servants must be free from politics was questionable, they pointed out.

Having said that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute that took place in the 2020 general election, the Myanmar Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government and took the State power after announcing the state of emergency on 1st February 2021.

After that, political crises emerged and members of the public and EAOs including military and civil servants protested against the Tatmadaw.

Moreover, some civil servants joined the Civil Disobedience Movement and resigned from their positions.

CNI News

6 March 2025

The current Myanmar political situation goes on like this, Myanmar could be a failed state, military and political analysts told CNI News. 

There are reports that the country is on the verge of collapse due to ongoing armed conflicts and territorial acquisitions in various parts of Myanmar.

In the current situation, if the leaders of various organizations stand for their own interests, Myanmar could lead to a failed country in the long run, spokesperson of the 7 EAO Alliance, U Naing Aung Ma Ngay told CNI News.

While seeing a Mon ethnic armed group fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw

" If political leaders of various organizations including EAO leaders and democratic leaders stand for their own interests, the country will disintegrate one day. Other countries have many means to solve the problem, but there are so many ethnic groups that it's not easy to solve the problem. It's just an excuse. There are many countries with many ethnic groups, but they are united. For example, India has many ethnic groups as well, but it's a country that unites. So, it's easy for our country to be united." he said.

The current political situation in Myanmar is not yet at a world war-like level, but it has reached a very serious state, pointed out military and political analysts. 

This situation, which has lasted for more than 4 years, has caused a lot of harm to the public.

So, both sides need to negotiate. 

As long as the conflicts could not be resolved, Myanmar could be a failed state, chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) U Sai Nyunt Lwin told CNI News.

While the NSPNC and political parties were discussing

"Both sides need to negotiate. As long as the conflicts are not resolved, our country could be a failed state or disintegrate. We'll face very bad conditions. In any case, all the stakeholders should rethink about it. If there is resentment, hatred and desires for revenge, there'll be a very difficult situation. Because powerful groups are fighting in many parts of the country, the country could fall apart." he said.

After political changes started in 2021, armed revolutionary forces became more numerous than ever before.

Despite calls to find a solution through dialogue, there has been no political dialogue that can lead to a reform movement, pointed out military and political analysts.

CNI News

6 March 2025

All the organizations needed a frank discussion on a constitution that suits the country, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) told CNI News.

It was time that all the organizations needed a frank discussion on a constitution that suits the country and it might be the same as the India's constitution and might be better than the India's, chairperson of the ALP, Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin told CNI News.

" In India, governors control chief ministers and ministers, according to the India's constitution. Rather than copying the constitution of another country, all the revolutionary armed groups, EAOs, political parties and the government need to discuss on a constitution that suits the country. It might not be the same as the India's constitution. Our constitution might be better. I think we should try to develop new systems." she said.

While the NSPNC and political parties were discussing

The NSPNC and the Work Group of political parties are discussing the matters relating to the amendment of the 2008 constitution. 

Among the points that they discussed, if Section.261 of the 2008 constitution is amended and enacted,  questions whether the system in which governors control state chief ministers will be used are arising.

Section-261 is a section relating to administration; the Union has controlled everything and by simply opening Section.261, it could be difficult to resolve problems, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

While seeing the points discussed by the NSPNC and political parties

" 261 is a section relating to administration. India's constitution relating to administration is strong. The President has authority. The President directly appoints the state governors. In this way, governors are the agents of the President. The 2008 constitution is different from the India's constitution. The President is approved by the parliament. The ruling party proposes the nomination of the President and the parliament appoints the President. The Prime Ministerial candidates of the winning party are sworn in by the President. When considering the 2008 constitution, 261 is a section relating to administration. Will the Union control everything? The Union has controlled everything and by simply opening Section.261, it would be difficult to resolve problems." said Dr. Aye Maung.

The NSPNC and the Work Group of political parties met and discussed on 23rd and 24th January, 2025 and they agreed and signed the 43 points relating to the amendments of the 2008 constitution, said chairperson of the People's Party (PP) U Ko Ko Gyi at a press conference.

Of the 43 points that were agreed,  the point that Myanmar is established into the Union based on democracy and federalism was included in the amendments agreed, he said.

In building a federal union, division of power and financial division are important; according to the agreement, chief ministers in Regions and States can be elected and appointed by Hluttaws concerned, said U Ko Ko Gyi.

CNI News

6 March 2025

Discussion has been conducted to hold a conference that reviews the entire 2008 constitution, said chairman of the People's Party (PP) U Ko Ko Gyi. 

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) of the State Administration Council (SAC) and the Work Committee of the Political Parties Group discussed the points that will amend the 2008 constitution.

" We discussed to hold a conference that will review the entire 2008 constitution in the Hluttaw that will arise in the future at a suitable time. By discussing the level step by step, more broadly-inclusive discussions may arise, I believe." said U Ko Ko Gyi to CNI News.

While seeing the points discussed between the NSPNC and the Work Group of political parties

The NSPNC and the Work Group of political parties have agreed to amend 43 points from the 2008 constitution and there are seven points left to discuss reportedly. However, armed groups, democracy activists and some political parties have demanded to cancel the 2008 constitution and draft a new constitution.

However, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has maintained the 2008 constitution and accepts only the amendment of the constitution without accepting to abolish the constitution.

As it is still uncertain whether the SAC will be able to hold elections, There is still little hope for the emergence of the Hluttaw and if the Hluttaw emerged, it has not been clear what a suitable time is.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the 2008 Constitution

So, whether a conference that will review the entire 2008 constitution can emerge or not is questionable, pointed out military and political analysts.

The SAC has been ruling the country since 1 February 2021 after announcing the state of emergency. So, political parties are demanding to overcome the Myanmar's political crisis by holding elections and is discussing with the NSPNC to obtain prior agreements.

Although the SAC Chairman has said that elections will be held in 2025 and the State power will be handed over to the winning party, there are also concerns because the SAC has not said the specific date for when elections will be held.

Those close to the SAC said that elections could be held in October, November and December, 2025 and the State power could be handed over in April, 2026.

CNI Interview

5 March 2025

The State Administration Council and political parties are making attempts to hold elections in order to overcome the political crisis in Myanmar that emerged after February 1, 2021. 

Although the SAC said that it would hold elections in 2025, it didn't express the exact date when elections would be held. So, it is anybody's guess whether elections could be held or not.

Some people pointed out that elections could worsen Myanmar's political crisis rather than they could resolve the crisis. CNI News contacted and interviewed U Sai Nyunt Lwin, chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) regarding the above-mentioned situations.

While seeing political parties and the SAC Chairman

CNI News: Some people or organizations want elections to be held. If elections were held, three powers that one person only has maintained must be divided. Others think that the political crisis could get worse if elections were held. Is there a form of election that can resolve all of these issues?

U Sai Nyunt Lwin: Now preparations have been made in 100 or 110 townships. In practice, how many townships could elections be held in? If elections were held, there would be security problems. Security for the election is a concern. 

Some consider that three powers must be divided after elections. Only one person wouldn't be able to maintain three powers anymore. So, the situation could be better than now. On the contrary, others think that elections cannot be held in the entire country. If elections would be held in the territories only controlled by the Tatmadaw, it wouldn't be just, they think. In my opinion, political dialogues are firstly needed. If elections are held in accordance with the consent reached from political dialogues, many problems will have been resolved.

CNI News: What kind of election would be possible if the election were held according to the agreement reached through political discussions?

U Sai Nyunt Lwin:  It could be an all-inclusive election. Now, there are not many opponents, almost none. Now, it seems that only people who support one side are making preparations for the election.

CNI News: Without political discussions first, if elections were held, could the civilian government that would come to power keep the political situation or could it worsen the situation?

While the anniversary celebration of the NCA was being held

U Sai Nyunt Lwin: The problem is that elections can't be held all over the country. If elections can be held in only one-third of the country's area, it cannot cover the entire country. So, iyt could be difficult to recognize the government that would come to power through elections.

CNI News: Well then, the SAC should make preparations to enable multi-parties to run elections.

U Sai Nyunt Lwin: Of course, it has to be like that. The SAC might find it difficult. But it should try hard.

CNI News: According to 2008, there are problems that cannot be solved. EAOs want to discuss only after the 2008 constitution is abolished. But because the SAC has maintained the 2008 constitution, the peace process has not progressed as it should. How should this be fixed?

U Sai Nyunt Lwin: Actually, they have different ideas. We have to iron out the differences. According to the 2008 constitution, the Tatmadaw is allowed to grip many powers, which EAOs don't like. The Tatmadaw wants to maintain the 2008 constitution. We must iron out the differences of opinion.

CNI News: What reforms should both sides make to achieve peace?

U Sai Nyunt Lwin: Both sides need to negotiate and discuss. Even if they can't discuss it directly, I think they should discuss it through a third group, like ASEAN or the United Nations.

CNI News: What's the role of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the current Myanmar politics.

U Sai Nyunt Lwin: Because Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is in prison at present, her role is nothing. But her supporters want her to be released. They want to do this to get strength. But it's impossible for the SAC to do so.

CNI News: Where do you think the current revolutionary scene in Myanmar is heading?

U Sai Nyunt Lwin: The political situation in Myanmar is now at its worst. Especially the people are facing food shortage problems. If we talk about the people's desire, they want the civil war to be finished quickly. If possible, they want everything to be convenient.

While seeing leaders of the Northern Alliance

CNI News: Myanmar is currently on the verge of collapse. In this situation, how do we manage to prevent the country from being a failed state?

U Sai Nyunt Lwin: Stakeholders need to negotiate. If it's not convenient to do so, ours may be a failed state. The country may disintegrate. In any case, all the stakeholders should re-think about it. Because there are resentment, hatred and desires for revenge, it's a very bad situation.

CNI News: If you had to describe how to make the public understand the state of a failed state, what would it look like?

U Sai Nyunt Lwin: The major powers are gradually taking over many territories, we can say that the country could disintegrate. A member of the public earns 4,800 kyats a day. So, a household gets into trouble a lot. Organizations and parties are different.

CNI News: Territories have arisen among EAOs after a coup d'état in 2021. How severe can these be?

U Sai Nyunt Lwin:  Some EAOs consider that the territories they have captured are their own. These will be problematic a lot. These things may be in northern Shan State, southern Shan State, Kachin State, Sagaing Region, and Rakhine State. 

The Bamar people are mixed with other ethnic groups. If an EAO says that the territories it has captured belong to its people only, the problems are not over and will continue for a long time. We need to look at the entire Myanmar as a whole."