CNI News

2 December 29, 2024

The military camps of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in the Mae Hong Son region where the borderline between Myanmar and Thailand had not be designated might retreat to the northeastern part of Shan State, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

The Thai Army has warned the UWSA to retreat its nine military camps from Mae Hong Son on 18th December at the latest.

If the Wa region was in the territory, the UWSA must accept the management by the Myanmar government; so as not make tensions take place, Wa military camps might retreat to the northeastern part of Shan State, he said.

" I heard that the borderline between Myanmar and Thailand hasn't been designated in Mae Hong Son. Did Myanmar government give the camps to the UWSA? The question could enter the history. If the Wa region is included in the territory of Myanmar, Wa must accept the management by the Myanmar government. Otherwise, the Myanmar government will find it difficult to solve the border dispute with Thailand. If so, the Wa military camps must retreat to the northeastern part of Shan State. In these places, the border guard force of Myanmar government must be deployed. Otherwise, it will be difficult for Myanmar government to accept." he said.

The map of 171 region described by the voice of Wa youth network

That the Thai government asked the UWSA to retreat its nine military camps in Mae Hong Son was right; it was just an issue between the two countries to solve and the case had been informed to the leadership of the country, said U Nyi Rang, the liaison officer for the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Lashio, Shan State through a news agency based in Wa State on 26th November. 

However, the State Administration Council and the Myanmar Tatmadaw have not made any comments on that.

 Mr Dusit Manapan, Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and FM of the SAC, U Than Swe met and discussed the security and stability of the border areas on 27th November 2024. 

Thai Army was ready to protect its territory and if the UWSA advances beyond the borderline informally designated, Thai Army would drive them away from the borderline, which Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy PM said, reported the Thai Enquirer, a Thailand based news agency.

While Myanmar FM U Than Swe was meeting with Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand

The announcements that would come out from the diplomatic discussions must be watched, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News. 

" They will discuss diplomatically about it, I think. Surely, the discussion will be conducted among military officials from both sides in the border areas, I think. I wonder if they will discuss the borderline. But the military is instigating. I don't know what will happen next. We have to watch what announcements will come out" she said.

In time of military tension with Thai Army, the UWSA held the opening ceremony of military training school where 2,000 recruits were included in the No. 171 area of southern region of the UWSA on 26th November, broadcast on the Wa State TV.

CNI News

2 December 29, 2024

The Arakan Army was implementing the Arakan Education System based on the Arakan language in Paletwa Township, Chin State, said locals. 

The AA has been trying to implement the Arakna Education System for about one year and the system will start in the coming academic year, according to the pieces of news that have come out. 

However, Chin ethnic people had no wish to learn the education based the Arakan language and there were few teachers who wanted to serve there, U Kyaw Kyaw, a resident of Paletwa told CNI News.

" The AA has been trying to implement the Arakan Education for about one year in Paletwa Township, but both Chin people and Rakhine people live in the township. Chin people don't want to learn the Arakan Education. Moreover, there are few teachers who want to serve under the Arakan Education as well. So, they have gone away. I can't say what will happen next." he said.

Although the Arakan Education has been started implementing in some townships controlled by the AA, some people are unhappy with enactment of the Arakan Education in Paletwa Township where many Chin people live. 

A Basic Education High School in Paletwa Township, Chin State

Although most of the people living in Paletwa Township are Chin people, as there are Rakhine people there as well, they would accept if the Arakan Education was implemented in the places where most of Rakhine people lived, said locals.

Imposing that every student in Paletwa Township must learn the Arakan Education was not proper, a resident of Paletwa told CNI News. 

" It will be less likely to put the subject of Chin in the Arakan Education. Even under the previous government, ethnic language was taught only outside of the school time. We have no reason to object if they implement the Arakan Education at the place where most of Rakhine people live. But we are unhappy with asking other ethnic people to learn the Arakan Education by force. At a time of transparency like this, everybody wants their private freedom. Imposing the education that most of the people don't want is not suitable, I think." he said.

There are nearly 100,000 people in Paletwa Township and of them, nearly 20,000 are Rakhine people. most of the people living in the township are Khumi Chin people.

CNI News

2 December 29, 2024

There is a territorial dispute between the United Wa State Army in Myanmar and Thailand and Thai army has asked the UWSA to remove its military camps in Mae Hong Son, Thailand. 

However, Wa would not remove its military camps and Thailand would not dare to attack, said political commentators to CNI News.

Thai Army had ordered Wa forces to retreat from their military camps in Mae Hong Son, Thailand on 18th December at the latest, reported Thai media. 

Myanmar Tatmadaw had given those military camps in Mae Hong Son to Wa and Wa army would find ways to avoid the condition that battles could break out with Thailand, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar-China affairs commentator told CNI News.

While seeing the Thai army

" It seems that Wa won't remove its military camps. I don't think Thailand won't dare to fight. Thai Army is even poorer than the Myanmar military council. I'm not sure that they have better weapons. The government of the State Peace and Development Council allowed the Wa army to deploy in these regions. Wa will try to avoid the fighting. It doesn't seem to think about waging battles. There might have misunderstanding between them. Problem often arise in the region. I don't think any big problems will arise. I can't say whether battles can emerge or not if the military council instigates. Wa will indulge something and negotiate with Thailand, I think. Meanwhile, the Thai Army has rejected pieces of news that states there are military tensions between the Wa army and the Thai army. Colonel, spokesperson of the Thai Army rejected comments spreading on the social media that has mentioned there were military tensions between the Wa army and the Thai army on 27th November and the relation between the two sides is normal,'' he said.

Because the borderline had not built in that region yet, it was a buffer zone and narcotic drug gangs were being active there, U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator told CNI News.

While seeing the UWSA

" We can't say who is wrong or who is right because the borderline hasn't designated yet. Moreover, it's still a buffer zone. Narcotic drug gangs from Myanmar are being active there. They have been there since U Khun Sar was there. The Thai Army has been supporting them. But as the Thai Army says these places are theirs now, the Wa army won't accept that. But the Thai Army doesn't seem to like that the Wa army has deployed its camps there. So, the Thai army has organized the RCSS to cover, I think." he said.

Although the Thai army has demanded the UWSA to retreat its military camps from that region on 18th December at the latest, the UWSA didn't agree to that, reported Bangkok Post. 

The Thai army demanded that while discussing with six top officials of the UWSA on 18th and 19th November in Chiangmai, Thailand, reported Bangkok Post.

CNI News

30 November 2024

Corn cultivation acres have decreased by half this year because the price of corn fell last year and there were no stabilities in some regions growing corn, according to the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association. 

Because the price of corn fell to 1,000 kyats per viss last year, some farmers made losses. Moreover, corn cultivation decreased by about 60 percent in northern Shan due to the armed conflicts while 50 percent decreased in Ayeyarwady Region reportedly. 

Because pulses were grown in place of corn, corn cultivation decreased by half in the whole country, a corn trader from Ayeyarwady Region told CNI News. 

" Corn cultivation acres have decreased.  Pulses have been grown instead because corn farmers were worried last year the price of corn fell when they sold. In comparison with the cost including inputs this year, if the price of corn will decrease, they won't make a profit. farmers in Ayeyarwady reduced corn cultivation by half. The corn cultivation has decreased by half in the whole country." he said.

There are about 400,000 acres of winter corn cultivation in Myanmar and it is grown in Shan State, western Bago Region, Naypyidaw, Mandalay Region, Magway Region and Kachin State. 

At present, the price of corn has been more than expected at 1,500 kyats per viss. 

While seeing a corn plantation

So, farmers can make a profit at this price. However, whether the price of corn was profitable or not depended on the transportation, Ko Min Khine, a corn trader, told CNI News.

" The yield of corn increased a lot last year. When the demand and the supply are not balanced, farmers can face losses. This year, the yield will decrease and the demand will be high. Farmers can make a profit. But it can't be surely estimated. It's related to transportation as well. But as the current price is 1,500 kyats per viss, farmers can make a profit by half." he said.

As the period when the corn can be exported to Thailand with tax exemption will start from 1st February 2025, Myanmar corn traders are making preparations.

Myanmar corn is mainly being exported to Thailand and plans are being made to export corn to Thailand through the Tachileik border trade and the Myawaddy border trade if it is opened. 

Moreover, plans have been made to export from the Yangon Port through Kawthaung-Ranong to Thailand by sea.

Corn cultivation is second biggest after paddy and in comparison with export earnings from rice and pulses, it is the third biggest. 

At present, each year local production of corn is about 3.2 million metric tons and about 2.2 million are exported.

CNI News

30 November 2024

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA/KIO) announced on 28th November 2024 that it had abolished the Kachin Special Region-1 after capturing the region. 

The KIA attacked and captured the military camps of the New Democratic Army – Kachin (NDA-K) in Panwa, Kan Pite Tee, Chipwi and Sawlaw Townships that are included in the Kachin Special Region-1 led by U Zakhun Ting Ying in October and November.

" Because dictator governments designated the Kachin Special Region-1 and divided and ruled, the unity of the Kachin People was hurt. So, the KIA had to capture the territories designated as the Kachin Special Region-1 so that not only among Kachin people but also other ethnic people in the Kachin region can live together without becoming disunited." said in the statement. 

While seeing the statement released by the KIO

From now, the Kachin Special Region-1 would be no more, said in the statement. 

So, indigenous people that were under the rule of the Kachin Special Region-1 and investors were invited to carry out the all-round development in cooperation with the KIO without having to worry, said in the statement.

The group led by U Zakhun Ting Ying seceded from the Burma Communist Party in 1989 and made peace with the Tatmadaw in 1990 and then the Tatmadaw designated Panwa, Kan Pite Tee, Chipwi and Sawlaw as the Kachin Special Region-1.

CNI News

30 November 2024

The political form that used the division of power could re-emerge again after the election held by the State Administration Council, chairman of the People's Party (PP), U Ko Ko Gyi told CNI News. 

Chairman of the SAC, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that the SAC was making preparations so that a free and fair multi-party democratic general election in 2025. 

After the election, the political form that used the division of power could re-emerge again and armed groups would need to make preparations so that practical political dialogues could be carried out, said U Ko Ko Gyi to CNI News.

" Although some organizations don't accept the election, if the election has been held, post-election political organization that will come to power will have to solve the current problems, when solving, the way to solve will change. Because now is the state of emergency, three powers are in the hands of the C in C. So, there is no check and balance. But after the election, the political form that will use the division of power will re-emerge. So, individuals who will come to power from the election need to have political knowledge and experience as well as desire to make peace so that peace talks can be effectively conducted after the election. It's very important, I think. Moreover, armed organizations will need to make preparations for how to perform practical political dialogues so that the federalism can be well implemented." he said.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was casting a vote

The SAC would mainly carry out to make the vote lists correct in the coming election and Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine would be used, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC on 19th November 2024. 

China supported the five point road map laid down by the SAC and would help in order to be able to hold the election successfully, said Chinese PM Li Chang during his meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in Kunming, China on 6th November 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 while China had been paying close attention to what was happening in Myanmar and the situation in northern Myanmar, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning on 26th November 2024. 

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

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) requested China to broker in the current situations in September 2024 and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) announced that it was ready to discuss with the SAC on 25th November 2024.

As the peace talks could be conducted based on the Haigen Agreement, it was necessary to take the election into account, chairman of the Arakan National Network, U Tin Htoo Aung told CNI News.

" Because China has intervened in northern Shan State, a peace form or a dialogue might emerge. Based on the Haigen Agreement, a dialogue will arise, I think. But now as China is talking about the election, it might be taken into account because regional powers and the ASEAN are pushing it as well." he said.

In 2025, a general election will be held and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, said chairman of the SAC.

CNI News

30 November 2024

It has been unclear up to now whether sugar mills in Sagaing Region where the biggest sugarcane cultivation area is located will operate or not, according to farmers. 

If sugar mills in Sagaing Region didn't operate, sugarcane farmers would make a great loss because over 10 lakh tons of sugarcane could be waste, said U Win Htay, vice chairman of the Myanmar Sugar and Cane Related Entrepreneurs Association.

There are a lot of sugar and molasses produced last year left in the sugar mills because of transportation difficulty and only if the two rival organizations solved that difficulty, it would be convenient for farmers, he said to CNI News.

While seeing Myabayin Sugar Mill

" Farmers are so upset that they want to die. Sugar mills don't let them know whether sugar mills will operate or not. If the mills don't operate, the sugarcane will have to be burned. Farmers will make a great loss. Owners of the mills don't make contracts or don't pay advance money to buy. The problem with them is that a lot of sugar produced last year are in their warehouses. Some mills have lots of molasses because it was so difficult to transport. only if both that organization and this organization solve the problem, will it be convenient for farmers. Otherwise, over 10 lakh tons of sugarcane will be waste." said U Win Htay.

Although sugarcanes are often crushed in early December, sugar mills in Sagaing Region have not designated the price up to now. Moreover, because the mills don't issue advance money, farmers are finding it difficult.

While seeing sugarcane plantation

Because advance money was not issued to farmers, they are finding it difficult to hire workers. Moreover, farmers have not been able to grow sugarcane again, U Maung Swe, a sugarcane farmer from Sagaing Region, told CNI News.

In Sagaing Region, MSC sugar mill only has issued 25,000 kyats per acre as advance money to farmers and not designated the price yet. The mill can crush 200,000 tons of sugarcane.

At present, Myabayin Sugar Mill only in Nyaung Shwe Township, southern Shan State reportedly will buy sugarcane at 200,000 kyats per ton.

CNI News

29 November 2024

That Acting President of the National Unity Government, Duwa Lashi La has recalled its member to come back to Myanmar was likely because of change of Trump's policy, U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator, told CNI News. 

Asking the members of the NUG to come back to Myanmar might mean asking them to come back to places near to the border areas and because changes of policies including visa could take place, it was likely that the NUG thought so, he said.

" Saying to come back to Myanmar doesn't mean saying to come back under the rule of the millitary council but near the border areas of Myanmar because there might be policy changes regarding visa and migration under the US government led by Donald Trump. Under the Biden government, the office of the NUG was allowed to be opened officially. But under the Trump government, it might be hurt. If the Trump government doesn't permit the NUG office to be officially opened, it might affect the dignity of the NUG. If the US did so, it might be hard for European counytries that support the NUG to recognize the NUG." said U Than Soe Naing to CNI News. 

While seeing Duwa Lashi La

However, it would not easy for the members of the NUG if they came back to the border areas, he added.

The NUG should not exist as an expatriate government and strength must be built on the ground, said Acting President Duwa Lashi La at the meeting of the NUG that was held online on 26th November.

Because the NUG took the time properly for the international community, he urged the members of the NUG to gather within the country (Myanmar). 

Because Trump has not been appointed as President, asking the members of the NUG could not relate with the US policy; it would be better for the NUG if it could implement its ideology, U Kyi Myint, a political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing members of the NUG

" There is an eight point agreement released by the NUG, the KNU, Kayah, Chin and Karen armed groups. As the two main points, one is that they don't accept the 2008 constitution and the other, the army must go back to their barrack. The military council won't accept these points at all. So, I don't think there are any reasons to make political dialogues arise. China has cooperated with the military council for its interests. Revolutionary groups have to lay down strategies, depending on the situation of their cooperation." he said.

China had big influence on both revolutionary groups and the SAC, which could not be ignored; it would be necessary to think so as not to make side effects arise from that situation, said Acting President of the NUG, Duwa Lashi La.

Moreover, it would be necessary to think outside the box and carried out in practice rather than doing conventionally, he added.

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.