CNI News

28 January 2025

The chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, said that no means or action could destroy the friendship between Myanmar and China. 

He said the above during his attendance to the celebration of the Chinese New Year Day, the Year of the Snake, 2025. 

Organizations from local and abroad that don't want friendly relationship of the two countries - Myanmar and China - are using various ways to cause dissension and officials and citizens all from the two countries need to take special care, said the chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC).

"The friendship between Myanmar and China that has existed for so many years could not be destroyed  by any means or action, which needs to be proved." he said. 

Local armed organizations are trying to overthrow the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the SAC across the country. So, battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and armed organizations.

China is putting pressure on the MNDAA, the TNLA, the AA and the KIA to suspend battles and hold peace talks while democratic forces, some foreign countries and some armed elements are carrying out anti-China movements within the country and abroad.

There are obstacles to investment activities, including Chinese economic projects in Myanmar. Chinese consulate in Mandalay, Myanmar was bombed. 

Moreover, security measures have also been beefed up at the Chinese embassy in Yangon.

CNI News

27 January 2025

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and the Working Group of the political parties met and discussed measures that should be taken to ensure peace and stability in the country in Naypyidaw on 24th January 2025. 

Conditions for reorganization of the Working Group and matters relating to amendment of the constitution in 2025 were discussed at the meeting.

In the same way, the measures that should be taken to ensure peace and stability in the country, issues related to meeting the needs of the people legally, the current political landscape and matters relating overcome the crisis together by the government, the Tatmadaw and the people were discussed at the meeting.

Suggestions for increasing re-entry of the PDFs into the legal frame and increasing recruitment under the People's Military Service Law were discussed as well.

At present, battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and armed groups across the country and the Myanmar Tatmadaw has lost control of several hundred military camps including the Northeast Command and the West Command as well as over 90 townships.

There has been an increase in the number of the thefts and robberies in Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw. Moreover, Young people are going missing and the rule of law has been weak.

CNI News

27 January 2025

Ayeyarwady Region is, according to the military strategy of the Myanmar Tatmadaw, very important, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), U Myo Kyaw told CNI News.

In the border areas of Bago Region, Magway Region and Ayeyarwady Region, which border Rakhine State, battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA), reported the AA on 20th January 2025.

The coalition forces opposing the Myanmar military might strengthen their cooperation and Ayeyarwady Region is, according to the military strategy of the Myanmar Tatmadaw, very important, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), U Myo Kyaw told CNI News.
 
"Now, in the revolution, the Arakan Army is very far ahead. The people from other States and Regions trust and rely on the AA and cooperate. When they cooperate, in cooperation with the AA, armed groups staying near Gwa, Taung Goat and Ann Townships and opposing the State Administration Council are fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw. Their cooperation may be strong. Ayeyarwady Region and Yangon Region are chiefly important to the administration and existence of the SAC. Ayeyarwady Region is, according to the military strategy of the Myanmar Tatmadaw, very important. If the SAC lost control of Ayeyarwady Region, it would be overthrown, I believe." said U Myo Kyaw.

While seeing the AA

Battles have been breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the AA around the Ann-Padan Road since 11th January and battles are breaking out in some places of Ayeyarwady Region adjacent to Rakhine State and near Chin Su Village, Yegyi Township, said in the AA's statement.

The AA reported on 23rd January 2025 that it would step up its offensive soon for the liberation of the whole Ayeyarwady valley in Magway Region.

There needed to have military alert in Ayeyarwady Region, said Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win, Deputy Chairman of the SAC during his trip to Pathein on 27th December 2024. 

While seeing Yekyi Town, Ayeyarwady Region

The rice market could become chaotic if military operations were stepped up and lots of IDPs could enter Yangon Region; it was necessary to find an answer for the peace by discussing, chairman of the Arakan National Network (ANN) U Tin Htoo Aung told CNI News.

" If the military operations were stepped up in Ayeyarwady Region, the rice market may be chaotic. The transportation between Yangon and Ayeyarwady Region will be more difficult. Moreover, IDPs from Ayeyarwady Region could enter Yangon Region. Both the SAC and the AA have announced that they are ready to discuss politics. It's necessary to put their announcements into practice, sponsored by powerful countries." said U Tin Htoo Aung.

Because battles became severe in the places of Ayeyarwady Region adjacent to Rakhine State, locals from Chaungtha and Shwe Thaung Yan Beaches fled to safety since 19th January and there have been over 20,000 IDFPs now.

CNI News
26 January 2025

Without holding dialogues with all the stakeholders as a first priority, if the election was held straigt, the problem would become more complicated and unstable, military and political analysts told CNI News.

Planning for elections should not be a priority while armed conflict was escalating, urged ASEAN members.

Security must be made more stable and reliable than it is now if the election is held in 2025, director of the Thayninga Institution for Strategy Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.

" In which townships will elections be held? Is it possible to hold the elections given the security situation? Depending on that, it may be decided to hold the election later. The SAC has said that elections would be held in 2025. If the election is held in 2025, security must be made more stable and reliable than it is now." he said.

ASEAN members urged the Myanmar delegation that attended the meeting to carry out matters regarding ceasefire with all the armed organizations in Myanmar and to allow
humanitarian assistance, said Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hassan at the press conference held after the meeting of ASEAN ministers in Langkawi Island, on 19th January.

Moreover, former diplomat Othman Hashim appointed as Malaysia's special envoy to Myanmar said that he would persuade all the organizations in Myanmar in order to implement the five point consent regarding the Myanmar issue.

It was agreed that dialogue should be prioritized over elections. A dialogue might arise before the election, chairman of the PNLO-NCA.S, an NCA signatory, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

" It is agreed that election should be second priority and dialogue is first. If the election is held first, the problem could complicate problems further and be unstable, So, dialogues should be held formall or informally. And then, only if somewhat stability can be built, the election should be held. The ASEAN, international community, the UN, the EU and China have the idea of doing like this." he said.

According to the current situation, although it doesn't seem to hold a great dialogue, if the election is surely held, a dialogue should be held before the election, considered some people.

Moreover, if the SAC handed over the power to the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC), the NDSC could hold the election in two separate rounds, which there are considerations.

CNI News
26 January 2025

If a true federal system was to be implemented in Myanmar, anti-federalist tendencies should be eliminated, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

There were anti-federalist tendencies in Myanmar although everyone is demanding federalism aloud, he said.

" Everyone wants federalism. It's not easy to win it, but it's not difficult as well. Every one is saying aloud that they want federalism. Both the ruling organization and the revolutionary organizations are saying like this. Some revolutionary organizations have tendencies towards confederation or independence. If all the organizations want a true federal union from the bottom of their hearts, there is no reason that we don't win the federalism." said Col. Khun Okkar.

The Arakan Army (AA) had said that it wanted confederation that was not lower than the UWSA or independence while the TNLA urged its people to get ready if a country of theirs was built in future.

In the same way, EAOs might demand something higher than federalism in 2025, said Lt-Gen Gun Maw, a leader of the KIA.

While seeing a person studying the 2008 constitution

According to the current situation of Myanmar, if the federalism was used in Myanmar, the 2008 constitution must be withdrawn, considered military and political analysts.

There are many provisions in the 2008 Constitution that contradict the federal principle and the army was not included in the national politics of the federal countries.

So, federalism could not implemented under the 2008 constitution, they said. Myanmar political landscape has been just like barking the wrong tree since the Panglong Agreement was signed.

This year, stakeholders needed to try together to heal the wounds and heal with correct medicine, U Khun Sai taking part in the peace process, told CNI News.

" According to the Panglong Agreement and subsequent meetings, everyone agreed that this country should be a federal state. But in practice, instead of creating a federal state, they created a unitary state. This is just like barking the wrong tree. This year, it's necessary to try together so as to heal the wounds with correct medicine, which I want to urge stakeholders." said U Khun Sai.

To repeal the 2008 constitution depended on military and political negotiations, considered military and political analysts. It was neither easy nor difficult to use the federalism because everyone wanted it; it was necessary that they all really wanted it, they considered.

CNI News
26 January 2025

If the State Administration Council handed over the State power to the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC), the NDSC could hold the election in two separate rounds, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

The chairman of the SAC Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said on 15th January 2025 that the SAC would hold a free and fair general election without fail.

According to the constitution, if the SAC handed over the power to the NDSC, the NDSC would have to hold the election in six months and it could the election in two separate rounds, said Dr. Aye Maung to CNI News.

" Will the SAC be transformed on 31st January 2025? Will the two six month tenures be renewed? The SAC will weigh it. If the SAC hand over the power to the NDSC, according to the constitution, the NDSC will have to hold the election in six months. The chairman of the SAC has said that SAC would hold the election. It might be held in May. If the SAC was worried that it wouldn't be able to hold the election in six months. The SAC could hand over the power to the NDSC. According to the constitution, The NDSC will have to hold the election in six months. The constitution doesn't designate the election will be held in one go. So, the NDSC might hold the election in two separate rounds." said Dr. Aye Maung.

While Sr-Gen Min Hlaing was meeting with political parties

The election would be held in 2025 and the State power would be handed over the State power to the winning party, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. But he didn't say the exact date when the election will be held.

International monitoring groups would be allowed to monitor the election, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. Monitoring groups from local and abroad would be allowed to monitor the election, said chairman of the Union Election Commission.
The SAC could renew its tenure anymore and if the election was held, it would have to hold before the end of July, U Khun Sai, a person taking part in the peace process told CNI News.

" I haven't heard that the power will be handed over to the NDSC. Chances are that the SAC will renew its tenure. And then it could hand over the power to the NDSC before six month long period. To the best of my knowledge, the election will be held in the third quarter. The SAC will have to announce the date of election to be held two months before the election is held. If the election is held, it will be held before the end of July" said U Khun Sai.

While the UEC was meeting with political parties

The ASEAN members has urged the SAC to start dialogues without giving priority to the election on 19th January 2025.

The Chinese government has said that it would help in order that the election could be successfully held.

In the same way, Russia would help so as to be able to hold the election, said the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma during his meeting with the chairman of the Union Election Commission of Myanmar on 4th December 2024.

CNI News

25 January 2025

It was necessary to value the life of a soldier of the Myanmar Tatmadaw which was difficult for many people to own it, said chairman of the State Administration Council. 

He said the above while he was inspecting the military training school and the Tatmadaw Television Broadcasting Corps in Taung Nyo Cantonment.

"Our country's current population is about 52 million, with 47 percent male and 53 percent female. Of them, only a small number of people have embraced military service. So, it's necessary to value of the life of a soldier because they can serve the State defense and security duties." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, adding that it was necessary for soldiers who are serving noble duties for the sake of the State and the people to be proud of themselves and to fulfill the assigned responsibilities.

Officers and soldiers were diligently carrying out national defense and security duties on the front lines and their families also lived together and were filling with virtue. 

He recognized and congratulated on their work for the sake of the State and the people, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

CNI News

25 January 2025

Those who wrote news that encourages terrorism would be taken action against in accordance with existing laws, said Union Minister for Information, U Maung Maung Ohn during his meeting with the Myanmar Press Council in Yangon on 21st January 2025. 

" News media must avoid writing pieces of news that encourages terrorists, that causes panic among the people, and that will destroy the peace and stability of the country and those who don't comply with the warning will be taken action against in accordance with existing laws; it's necessary to let news media know widely; I want to urge the press council to cooperate so as not to prevent writing pieces of news like this." said Minister U Maung Maung Ohn.

The council can perform its duties freely in line with the law, and needs to oppose the destructive actions of terrorists and firmly stand with the public in media means. 

While seeing Minister U Maung Maung Ohn was meeting with the Myanmar Press Council

Moreover, it should express positive news refraining from informal writing styles affecting the government and Tatmadaw based on misinformation, he said.

The current Myanmar news world was going to two extremes and those who were writing in accordance with the rules of media ethics became fewer. Moreover, protections for journalists were also very weak, pointed out Myanmar journalists.

It was necessary to designate clearly which kind of news was one that encouraged terrorism and restrictions on avoiding writing that could harm the government and the Tatmadaw presumably meant that biased pieces of news must be written, pointed out Myanmar journalists.

While seeing Myanmar journalists (Photo-Frontier Myanmar)

" While the chairman of the SAC is inviting even armed groups and terrorist groups to discuss politics, if the journalists will be arrested because they wrote pieces of news that encourage terrorism and that destroy the peace and stability of the state, is it just and fair? It should be reconsidered, I think. The authorities should designate clearly which kind of news encourages terrorism." said a Myanmar journalist.

If the SAC took action against journalists, it could take action against journalists within the country, who didn't go abroad for many reasons and being unable to take action against journalists abroad was not just and fair, said Myanmar journalists.

The SAC should carefully study the current situation in the Myanmar news world and find ways how it should keep and cooperate with journalists, pointed out Myanmar journalists.

CNI News

24 January 2025

Military and political analysts are considering whether the State Administration Council (SAC) will give priority to military or politics. 

According the current situation, although politics could be given priority, if political means didn't work at all, military means would be maintained, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.

" Personally, according to the current situation, the SAC is more inclined to solve politically. It's the political discussion. But are EAOs including organizations declared as terrorist organizations going to accept the SAC's invitation to discuss politically? If the political means doesn't work at all, it could lead to the military means." said U Thein Tun Oo.

ASEAN countries urged the SAC on 19th January 2025  to start political dialogues after ceasing fire immediately without giving priority to the election. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that it was necessary to solve the political problem through the political means and invited stakeholders to meet and discuss politically.

While seeing political parties and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

The SAC was driving both military and politics at the same time in 2025, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

" According to the constitution, the SAC will carry out to make the Hluttaw government arise and it will focus on the military task more. It can try to make both of them move. Roughly speaking, the election can be held in May. The People's Military Service Law came into effect in February 2024. Air Force and Navy have been building in a bigger way since 27th October 2023. It will use army, air force and navy force in 2025. Now, from a defensive position, we are starting to see some offensive patterns. So, it seems to be driving military and politics at the same time." said Dr. Aye Maung.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing have urged armed organizations to renounce weapons and run the election and demanding what they wanted with armed attacks would not be complied;  they should demand what they wanted from inside the Hluttaw, he said.

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

A ceasefire agreement was signed between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) due to Chinese mediation, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Miss Mao Ning at the regular press conference held on 20th January 2025. 

The TNLA and the AA announced that they wanted to meet and discuss with the Myanmar Tatmadaw due to China's mediation.

However, no meeting or discussion has been held yet and battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the AA in areas bordering Rakhine Yoma.

At present, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has lost control of the Northeast Command and the West Command, including over 90 townships as well as several military camps.