CNI News

5 March 2025

Chairman of the State Administration Council, General Min Aung Hlaing, who is on a goodwill visit to Russia, was welcomed with a guard of honor at the Moscow airport on March 3, 2025 by the Russian Federation. 

The SAC Chairman left Naypyidaw for Russia on the morning of March 3 at the invitation of Russian President Putin.

Upon his arrival in Russia, he was welcomed by the Russian military honor guard. The SAC chairman reportedly will discuss the Russian PM, chairman of the State Duma and members of the Russian government, including Russian President Putin during his trip.

CNI News

5 March 2025

There are opinions among military and political analysts regarding how territorial disputes among EAOs should be resolved to prevent problems from getting worse. 

With the expansion of territorial control by ethnic armed organizations, territorial disputes could arise, pointed out the analysts.

It would be difficult to resolve the problems if EAOs designated the territories they have occupied for their own people, chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) U Sai Nyunt Lwin told CNI News.

" 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." he said.

At present, there are territorial disputes between the KIA and the TNLA, between the KIA and the MNDAA, between the TNLA and the SSPP, between the RCSS and the SSPP, between the PNO and the PNLO in Shan State. In the same way, there are territorial disputes between the NMSP and the KNU, and between the KNU and the KTLA in Tanintharyi Region and in Karen State.

While fighting with punches and kicks between the KIA and the TNLA over a territorial dispute

EAOs have captured as many territories as they can after 2021 and there might not be a majority of their people in the territories they have occupied. It would be necessary to re-negotiate matters regarding territorial domination, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News.

" EAOs and other armed groups including the TNLA and the KIA have occupied as many territories as they can.There might not be a majority of their people in the territories they have captured. I heard they will solve it later. The TNLA has captured more territories than the territories where a majority of their people live. It will be re-negotiate later, I think. If there are two or three ethnic groups in a region, these two or three groups combine and they govern the region like a coalition. According to China's ethnic policy, if the Jinghpaws are the majority in a district, the Jinghpaws will have autonomy." she said.

The State Administration Council has lost control of most townships from Rakhine State, Kachin State, Shan State, Sagaing Region and Magway Region. Moreover, battles are severely breaking out in Ayeyarwady and Bago Regions.

Although the SAC met and discussed with the MNDAA and the TNLA, the discussion with the TNLA was broken.

Civil society organizations, NCA signatories, and those working in the peace process including international community have urged stakeholders to resolve the Myanmar political problem that has been more than four years long with dialogue

CNI News

5 March 2025

Trust must be rebuilt for the peace processes that will be carried out in Myanmar, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S told CNI News. 
Peace could be achieved only after trust had been built and if the stakeholders had a spirit of love for the Union and the people, they could save the country, he said.

" Trust must be rebuilt, I think. Peace can be built on trust. In the current situation, trust is lost. There is no trust between the ruling organization and revolutionary forces. If all the armed forces have a love for the people and a love for the Union, they can save the country. Political dialogues can be held. All the armed organizations should think about it. If the interests of the people are valued, the dialogue will happen." said Col. Khun Okkar.

While seeing Kachin people

All the stakeholders needed to resolve the issue through face-to-face discussions for the long-term stability of peace in Myanmar and the establishment of a federal democratic union, stated the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) on 24th and 25th February 2025.

The SAC had opened the door to peace so that political problems could be resolved, said in the letter sent to the celebration of the Union Day by Sr-Gen Aung Hlaing on 12th February 2025.

He requested local ethnic people to encourage ethnic armed organizations, urged the SAC Chairman. There must be responsibility and accountability in the peace processes and or, it would not be easy to succeed, chairman of the Pa-O National Federal Council (PNFC) Khun Myint Tun told CNI News.

While the anniversary celebration of the NCA was being held

"When there was no responsibility and accountability, the peace process that was carried out through the NCA also collapsed. If the Tatmadaw didn't stage a coup d'etat and took responsibility and accountability, the peace process would be moving at a very good pace, which the Tatmadaw destroyed. So, if we carry out the peace process, the main point is responsibility and accountability. Without responsibility and accountability, the peace process can't easily succeed." said Khun Myint Tun.

Domestic problems must be solved domestically, but international push and mediation were needed as well for the peace process, said military and political analysts.

Members of the ASEAN should accelerate the peace process in Myanmar, reported the Free Malaysia Today (FMT) on 12 February 2025.

China had urged all the stakeholders to hold peace talks after ceasefire in Myanmar and would support the peace processes all out, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Miss Mao Ning.

CNI News

3 March 2025

Even though the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement was signed by international witnesses, the people are questioning why it was violated.

The NCA was being violated because any organizations involved did not abide by the agreement; if they abided by, discussions could be conducted on the NCA, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News. 

" The agreement was violated because any organizations don't abide by the agreement. If my memorary serves me right, the government, Hluttaw and the Myanmar Tatmadaw signed the agreement. As our EAOs, chairman, secretary and three military chiefs signed it. The government has collapsed. Hluttaws are no more. There is only the Tatmadaw left. Moreover, some NCA signatories announced that they had withdrawn from the NCA and violated the ceasefire. The agreement has dignity. All the NCA signatories abide by the agreement, the discussion could be convenient through the NCA." said Col. Khun Okkar.

While the NCA signing ceremony was being held

The organizations that signed the NCA on 15 October 2015 are the KNU, the RCSS, the KNU/KNLA-PC, the DKBA, the ALP, the ABSDF, the CNF and the PNLO.

And then, the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) signed the NCA on 13th February 2018.

The NCA was signed by the UN, China, India, Japan, Thailand and domestic individuals as witnesses and the NCA was approved in the Pyidaungzu Hluttaw.

There were arguments regarding whether the NCA was void or not after 2021. There was no reason to abide by the NCA because the NCA had been void, said secretary general of the KNU Pado Sawta Do Hmu at the press conference on 10th August 2023.

The NCA was a historic agreement which was approved by the Pyidaungzu Hluttaw and it would never be void, said the SAC Chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 1st September 2023.

The NCA agreement was violated because of a lack of trust between the two sides, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin told CNI News.

" Long story short, the NCA was violated because of a lack of trust between the two sides. After the signing of the NCA, there were setbacks when the government and the ethnic armed resistance organizations held talks. Especially, this is relevant to keeping only one Tatmadaw. Both sides were weak to discuss frankly. So the crisis has lasted longer. Moreover, there were issues to be discussed after the 2020 general election. But the political situation changed after 2020. Discussions could not be held. It was the main point" said Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin.

With Myanmar's political landscape that changed after 2021, after saying that the NCA had been void, the KNU, the CNF and the ABSDF have been fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

CNI Interview

3 March 2025

Peace talks are being held between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and EAOs in order to end the armed conflicts that are taking place in Myanmar with China's brokered engagement. 

However, EAOs are expanding territories and demanding the territories while the Myanmar Tatmadaw has maintained the 2008 constitution and doesn't accept the demands.

Colonel Khun Okkar, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, was contacted and interviewed by CNI News regarding the above-mentioned situations.

CNI News: The Myanmar Tatmadaw has maintained the 2008 constitution. EAOs are demanding territories, but the Tatmadaw can't give them. So, it is said that peace can't be made. How do you think it should be done?

While the NCA was being signed on 15 October 2015

Col. Khun Okkar: We can made peace only when political agreements are reached through political dialogues. Because preliminary negotiations are being held for peace at present, EAOs are expanding territories and demanding the territories. 

But the SAC can't give the territories under the 2008 constitution. But the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) have gained territories without being consistent with the 2008 constitution. 

Negotiations might be conducted kind of. So, the constitution might be amended or something like that in order to officially give territories under the constitution. in order to be able to do so, the current armed conflicts must be reduced so that political results can be produced.

CNI News: In the ceasefire discussions, there were demands that ceasefires must be conducted and offensives must be stopped at once. But the Tatmadaw doesn't seem to accept them because suspension of offensives is tantamount to giving territories. So, ceasefires are short-lived and battles are still resuming. How do you think they should be negotiated?

While seeing Chinese Special Envoy Mr. Deng Xijun and the SAC Chairman

Col. Khun Okkar: In my opinion, the requirement for troops from both sides to stop where they arrive is not often included in ceasefire agreements, both domestically and internationally. That you say forces from both sides must cease fire at the places where they have arrived is because that you have had the upper hand. 

But both sides have to separately reconsider the deployment of troops after the ceasefire. We have to separately discuss the deployment of troops in the NCA. With the ceasefire alone, you can't take the territory where you have arrived. If you do so, it will be problematic. 

It's necessary to draw a grid line  to surround the territory that can be controlled by a side. A demilitarized zone is also needed. Saying that,the forces from both sides must stop where they have arrived, if you arrived first or if where you have arrived is beyond your region, you make a profit. The other side won't accept it. It's necessary to separately discuss the deployment of troops.

CNI News: The NCA agreement also includes international witnesses. Why is the NCA being violated even in this situation?

Col. Khun Okkar: It's because any NCA signatories don't carry out in accordance with the NCA. From the government, the government, Hluttaw and the Tatmadaw signed the NCA. As EAOs, chairpersons, secretaries and commanders in chief signed the NCA. 

The reason why the NCA was violated - the government has collapsed. Hluttaw is no more. The Myanmar Tatmadaw alone is left. Some NCA signatories announced that they resigned from the NCA and they violated the ceasefire. 

While the 8th Anniversary Celebration of the NCA was being held

The NCA's intentions are very good.  Although some NCA signatories said that they have maintained the NCA's intensions, they don't comply with the NCA. The agreement is prestigious. Hluttaw has approved it. If all NCA signatories abide by the agreement, discussions could be convenient.

CNI News: As the NCA on which international witnesses signed was easily violated, can the agreement between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and an EAO be easily violated? If this happens, what will happen to peace in Myanmar?

Col. Khun Okkar: it can be easily violated. Later, China intervened in the ceasefires. China was included as a witness. We'll see how much China can save the situation.

The NCA has six witnesses and they are the UN, the EU, China, Japan, India and Thailand. 

But if an NCA signatory violated the agreement, how it will be taken action against is not included in the agreement. So, the witnesses are not responsible to interfere and warn. We requested to empower witnesses to interfere and warn if problems arose. 

The dialogue groups under the Thein Sein government did not accept it at that time. So, some NCA signatories violated the agreement, we don't know who to complain. If there is strong evidence that an NCA signatory violates the agreement, how will it be taken action against? We need a strong third force. For example, in the previous Kunming discussions, if China collected data, agreements could be a little stronger.

CNI News

3 March 2025

If a single party system replaced the multi-party system to solve Myanmar political problems in holding elections, it would be impossible in the current period of fragmentation, chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) U Sai Nyunt Lwin told CNI News.

A one-party system is a system in which a country is ruled by a single party. As practiced in a democracy, all the structures and functions such as the parliament and the Supreme Court are fully included, but the real power lies with the party that is ruling the country.

"We are the people who have tried to make it a multi-party democracy. According to the current situation, it's impossible at all to practise the one-party system at a time of fragmentation like this." said U Sai Nyunt Lwin.

While seeing political parties and the SAC Chairman

Myanmar had experienced a single party system because U Ne Win's Burma Socialist Programme Party only ruled the country starting from 1974.

Because the people had to live under the strict rules of the one-party system, they demanded the multi-party system. 

They had enjoyed the essence of democracy for a short time only. Everyone had agreed to use the federal democratic system, chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) U Sai Htay Aung told CNI News. So, he wanted politicians to adapt to the will of the people, he said.

While seeing the UWSA

" The people had lived under the strict rules of the one-party system. The country's development was very lagging behind. The people had enjoyed the taste of democracy from 2010 to 2020. I want politicians to adapt to the will of the people. Now, everyone has agreed to use the democratic federalism from democracy." said U Sai Htay Aung.

Democracy is a system in which the people elect their own representatives to govern them. Federalkism is a system of government in which states unite and give up some of their powers to a central authority. 

The Myanmar Tatmadaw had accepted and agreed to use the multi-party system and would implement it and its political goal was to build a union based on democracy and federalism, said the SAC chairman on 27th January 2023.

At present in Myanmar, battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and armed organizations and armed groups have captured a lot of territories where they are building administration. So, people are worried that warlords will emerge.

CNI News
2 March 2025

The Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Senior General Min Aung Hlaing would go to Russia and meet with Russian President Putin, reported the SAC on 28 February 2025. 

The SAC Chairman will pay an official state-level goodwill visit to Russia in a few days to come at the invitation of President Putin. 

During the trip to Russia, the SAC Chairman will meet and discuss with Russian President Putin, Russian PM, chairman of State Duma and Russian government officials During the trip, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing will discuss matters relating to further strengthening friendship, economic, security and strategic cooperation in all areas, reported the SAC. 

The SAC has good relations with Russia, and Russian diplomats often visit Myanmar.

An agreement that was granted to Russia to develop the Dawei deep-sea port project  was signed by the SAC and Russia a few days ago. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing attended the Far East Economic Forum that was held in Russia in September 2022.

CNI News
2 March 2025

Myanmar QR code system (MMQR) would be used for online payment and systematic supervision must be conducted to prevent online fraud, said chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. He said the above while attending the MMQR, the national QR standard, launch ceremony on 27 February 2025.

Myanmar QR (MMQR) that can pay quickly and easily could be used in accordance with the international standards starting from 27 February 2025.
Because MMQR, a national-level standard, could be developed, the Central Bank of Myanmar would be able to carry out financial transactions and money transfers smoothly and securely, just like in other countries, said the SAC Chairman.

" MMQR is also a system that encourages the development of the country's digital economy. With the advancement of technology, digital payment could be performed systematically and smoothly while systematic monitoring and supervision would also be required," he said.

Online fraud gangs known as Zha pian are based in Myanmar and are committing online fraud internationally, the SAC is facing pressure from China.

After that, China, Myanmar and Thailand are cooperating to suppress online fraud gangs. Because of online fraud gangs, Myanmar people are worried about digital money service.

MMQR that the CBM has introduced will reportedly be connected to various banks in Myanmar.

MMQR System Introduction Ceremony was attended by AYA Bank owner U Zaw Zaw, CB Bank owner U Khin Maung Aye and A Bank owner U Zaw Win Shein.

CNI News

1 March 2025

Even if the Myanmar Tatmadaw dares to recognize the establishment of Palaung State, it won't accept to discuss with the Myanmar Tatmadaw, said general secretary of the Palaung State Liberation Front/ the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA) Maj-Gen Tar Bone Kyaw.

Maj-Gen Tar Bone Kyaw wrote on his Facebook page under the title ' Incorrect strategy and lack of accountability' on 26 February 2025, which responded the comment of ' Bo Nan Wai Facebook account.

" The TNLA met with the "military council because of forcible pressure from China. There is nothing to give and take politically. Even if the military council dares to recognize the TNLA's political stance of gaining a state, it is not acceptable. It's still far from discussion with military council." said Maj-Gen Tar Bone Kyaw.

The TNLA met and discussed with the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Kunming, China with China's brokered engagement on 16th and 17th February 2025.

While seeing the TNLA's demand during its discussion with the Myanmar Tatmadaw

The TNLA demanded three points in the discussion and they are (1) the forces from two sides must stop where they arrive and cease fire; (2) both sides must cease all military activities, including offensives, drone strikes, heavy weapons fire, and airstrikes; (3) the two sides must allow the transportation of food and medicine for local people in areas controlled by both sides.

However, the discussion ended without any agreements and the two sides agreed to discuss again. 

The TNLA is an EAO that is trying to gain the Palaung State.

The Palaung State targeted by the TNLA includes Nansang, Mangtong, Namkham, Kutkai, Namtu, Thibaw, Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Monglong, Mong Ngor, Mongyai, Tangyan, Muse in northern Shan State, and Mabein, Mogok, and Mogok in Mandalay Region.

At present, the TNLA has captured Nansang, Mangtong, Namkham, Kutkai, Namtu, Thibaw, Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Monglong, Mong Ngor, Mongyai, Mabein, Mogok and Momeik during Operation-1027.