CNI News
4 January  2024

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and the three brotherhood northern alliance (MNDAA, TNLA and AA) will meet for the third time in Kumming, China, according to individuals close to both sides.

The meeting will be held on from 7th to 9th January. The first meeting was held during the first week of December in 2023, and the second, on 23rd and 24th December, 2023.

It was reported that the meeting was ten minutes long only and no agreement was reached from the meeting. However, the meetings lasted more than 50 minutes and at the first meeting, both sides agreed to temporary ceasefire and at the second meeting, discussion was conducted about demanding territories, individuals close to both sides told CNI News.

" The two times of meeting have been conducted and the third meeting is to be held. The two meetings lasted over 50 minutes. The first time was to cease fire and the Three Brotherhood Alliance signed." they said.

While seeing leaders from the Three Brotherhood Alliance

In cooperation with the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA), the People's Liberation Army (PLA), PDFs led by Bo Nagar, Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF) and the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF), the Three Brotherhood Alliance launched the Operation-1027 on 27th October 2023.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance and its allies have captured the Tatmadaw camps in Namkham, Thibaw, Hsenni, Chin Shwe Haw, Kyukote, Nangsan, Mang Ton, Namtu, Laukkai, Kutkai, Mong Ngor, Phaung Sai, Mong Ko Townships and controlled some townships.

The NSPNC and the Three Brotherhood Alliance will meet in China on from 7th to 9th January, 2024 for the third time for the cessation of the battles and for the regional stability.

CNI News
4 January 2024

U Pheung Daxun, Commander in Chief of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), released a New Year Message on 1st January, 2024 and explained about the objectives to the MNDAA forces.

He talked about cracking down on online gambling, reconstruction of the Special Region-1, situation relating to the ability to capture the Tatmadaw camps and how to govern the Special Region-1 after it was reconstructed.

However, he did not say anything about building a federal union which everyone wanted to build, the federal charter laid down by the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), an advisory body of the National Unity Government and the Spring Revolution.

" Regaining power of the Special Region-1 of Shan State, Myanmar is just the first step in our national process. We have made preparations for party, administrative committee, military construction system, political system, administrative system and cadre training. But our forces have to inherit the frugal tradition of old revolutionists and their ways to do and must work hard all out together with the people for the regional development on the basis of the constitution of the Special Region-1." said U Pheung Daxun.

While seeing the MNDAA forces

After that, however hard the future of Kokang region was, the special region administrative committee would not allow online gambling and narcotic drug industries. The people should not be oppressed. Corruption and bad habits that arose during the period when the puppet organization ruled would be absolutely eradicated, he said.

" What I can responsibly tell all the soldiers and civilians within the special region-1, the Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party (MNTJP), the MNDAA and the Special Region-1 Administrative Committee promise to make the special regional-1 peacefully develop. Because the present time is important for the restoration of the Special Region-1, if all the forces are able to overcome the final difficulties, the final success will arrive in the hands of the people, which I believe fully." said U Pheung Taxun.

While seeing the PDF forces

It was strange that U Pheung Taxun's 2024 New Year Message did not contain anything about the federal charter and the NUG.

The main objective of the Operation-1027 was to regain the Special Region-1 of the MNDAA and the operation was not obviously related to the NUG's Spring Revolution, pointed out political commentators.

CNI News
4 January  2024

Conclusions and discussions are widely arisen among the political and diplomatic circles in relation to the question whether Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could be released soon after the Independence Day.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release depended on a compromise with the State Administration Council, Col.Khun Okka, an EAO leader, told CNI News.

DASSK, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) who has been detained in Naypyidaw - her release depended on a compromise with the State Administration Council, Col.Khun Okka, an EAO leader, told CNI News.

" A review of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's current situation and her ability to participate, a compromise based on these things has some problems, I think. If the problems were solved, she would be able to participate in the restoration of the country. If the compromise was not convenient, the current position would go on, I think." he said.

DASSK was serving 33 years in prison for 19 cases. However, she was pardoned for five years of amnesty for five cases on 1st August 2023.

So, she still has 27 years to serve in prison. Although they hoped to release her, she might find it difficult to re-enter the Myanmar political world, U Myo Kyaw, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), told CNI News.

" In my opinion, a lot of challenges will be waiting for her if she re-enter the political world. If a very old woman like her re-enter the political world, she will find it difficult at a time like this. Even if she was released, she shouldn't re-enter the political world. If she re-entered the political world, would her policy be consistent with that of the National Unity Government/CRPH? If the problems arose among them, her dignity could be affected, I think." he said.

While seeing the NUG and PDF troops

Pieces of news saying that DASSK could be released after the Independence Day or she could be sent back to house arrest are arising among diplomatic circles local and abroad.

Because of political changes that arose on 1st February 2021, some members of the NLD party including the NLD leaders, DASSK and U Win Myint have been detained.

On the other hand, NLD MPs and those who are demanding democracy are fighting against the Tatmadaw to overthrow the SAC after forming the NUG and the People's Defense Forces.

CNI News

3 January  2024

The statement released by the National Unity Government that it would go on supporting the one China policy would not produce a good result in the diplomatic relations with the democratic countries, pointed out Myanmar politicians.

There have been historically close relations between Myanmar and China, and China is a powerful country which is an important country especially to Myanmar, the NUG stated on 1st January 2024.

" Myanmar and China share a border that is more than 2,000 kilometers long and they are neighboring countries that will have to live together as long as the world exists and Myanmar will build a kinship relation between the two countries. And Myanmar will always strive to stand as a good neighboring country for China and will go on supporting the one China policy." said the NUG.

While seeing the statement released by the NUG

The NUG's announcement that it would continue supporting the one China policy would not produce a good result, U Myo Kyaw, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) told CNI News.

" It doesn't matter if the NUG didn't reveal that at a time like this. Because while we are fighting against the military dictator, our common enemy, democratic countries are standing as our allies. While we are collecting strength from western democratic countries, putting a point in the statement that goes against Taiwan, a friend of these democratic countries as the fourt point won't produce a good result for us, I think." he said.

Moreover, looking forwards to the interest development for the people from the two countries, the Chinese investment and other social economic industries would be protected, said in the statement.

While seeing the NUG's People's Defense Force

Successive Myanmar governments supported the one China policy, U Kyi Myint, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" Successive Myanmar governments supported the one China policy. At present, the State Administration Council supports the one China policy. But the SAC has a trade relations with Taiwan. The trade value is by the US billion dollars like under the NLD government. The US also has recognized the policy that Taiwan is under China. But the US is demanding China to recognize that Taiwan is going with a democratic system. Myanmar doesn't demand like that. But under the current military council, the relation between Myanmar and Taiwan has even increased more." he said.

While the NUG is striving to overthrow the Tatmadaw government, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang Province, China are also trying to liberate their regions.

CNI News

3 January 2024

When issuing certificates of identity (CI) to 900,000 Myanmar people who have been enlisted in the name list in Thailand, the role of brokers could be bigger, those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers told CNI. 

The eight camps would be open on 4th January to issue CI to about 900,000 Myanmar people who have been enlisted in the name list by Thai employers, Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok has stated.

" Agents who are related to labor officers work as brokers at every camp. Outsiders are not allowed to enter the camp. If you work with brokers, CI book will be easily issued to you. CI books will be issued to 900,000 people during the designated period. Some workers have to go back to work all of a sudden because of their livelihood difficulties. Some workers have to spend a lot of money to register in the name list. If they don't have enough money for the time being to get CI books, it might take them long to get it." said Ko Thar Gyi who is helping in the affairs of migrant workers.

Those who are waiting in line to take CI (old photo)

Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Chonburi, Patong Thani, Surat Thani, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan and Songkhla Mobile Camps will be open to issue CI. 

However, compared to the population, the number of camps was still few, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED) told CNI News.

" 80 or 90n percent of the workers might work with brokers to get CI. Brokers work both on that side and on this side relating to each other. If a migrant worker wants to get a CI alone, he has to make a package deal with brokers. Because many employers ask their workers to work with brokers. So, it will cost workers more. Brokers and agents are essential for the time being." he said.

A camp that issues CI

Thai government allowed undocumented foreigners to enlist them in the name list in July, 2023. However, those who apply for CI would pay the income tax, the people who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers told CNI News.

Because the income tax must be paid to the Myanmar government for the six months, there might be Myanmar migrant workers who will accept themselves as illegal workers. On the other hand, there are workers who want to pay the income tax because they did not want to be illegal workers, they said.

CNI News

2 January, 2024

It would be supporting the one China policy, the National Unity Government stated its position on 1st January 2024, saying it was the NUG's attitude relating to China. 

" Myanmar and the People's Republic of China share a border of more than two thousand kilometers. They must live together as long as the world exists as neighboring countries and the NUG will build the kinship relationship. Myanmar will always strive to stand up as a good neighbor to China." said in the statement.

Moreover, the NUG would be supporting the one China policy and it would protect the Chinese economic investment and other social economic industries, looking forward to the development of the interests of the people of the two countries, said in the statement. 

And any organizations that are threatening the security of the neighnoring countries would not be allowed to set foot in the territory of Myanmar, the NUG stated.

Those who are serving in the NUG are taking refuge in the US and European countries that are rivals of China and they are taking aids from these countries. However, as as the NUG had issued an attitude of its that will satisfy China, it probably would fail in the diplomatic relations, pointed out political analysts.

When the diplomatic relation was tense between China and the US/Japan because of the Taiwan issue, supporting China instead of Taiwan shows a lack of tact in diplomatic relations, they pointed out.

CNI News

2 January 2024

Not only political and regional stabilities are needed, administrative policies also need to be changed to recover the country's economy that has been adversely affected, said businessmen and economic analysts. 

Because of regional instabilities, trade and manufacturing cannot be performed. And then, the country's economy has been adversely affected.

In order to improve the country's economy, political stability should be done first by the State Administration Council and in doing so, the currently used administrative policies needed to be changed, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing a greengrocer

" Only when there is political stability, can we improve the economy. Politics will be stable only when governance is stable. And then, the economy also will be stable. We cannot prioritize the economy alone. Manufacturing can only be done if the regions are stable. In the northern Shan State, both trade and production cannot be done. Because the SAC is performing in both military and governance, it's not very convenient. Frankly speaking,if it takes responsibility in the military, it doesn't have to take responsibility in governance. But regional governance and stability must be performed successfully. After forming a civilian government, assign it to improve the economy. In fact, formatting needs to be good to improve the economy. The current trend needs to be changed to really improve the economy." said U Thet Zaw.

The SAC would work to strengthen agro based SMEs more than the current situation, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in his New Year greeting speech.

As the prices of foreign currencies have become higher than before, the profit from the export of agricultural products is more than before. 

While seeing vegetables

So, the SAC should carry out to further improve agriculture, livestock and other manufacturing industries in the stable regions and states, U Thiha Paing, founder of the Via Logistics and Supply Chain, told CNI News.

" The government has to encourage productivity in the stable territories so that it will be convenient for businessmen and national income. The government also gets tax from exports. But there are still a lot of difficulties such as remittance problems, difficulty getting containers, no ships and difficulty getting license. And export licenses should be granted as many as possible so that products can be exported as much as possible. If so, it can make up for the income that was suspended because the border gates have been closed." he added.

Although profits for farmers and traders from exporting increased, it was necessary not to export excessively so that there would be food security within the country and excessive price increases would not occur, pointed out businessmen and economic commentators.

CNI News

2 January  2024

Even if the EAOs and their allies were able to capture the territories of ethnic people, would the Tatmadaw continue airstrike, using sophisticated weapons, which Lt-Gen Min Naing, secretary of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) of the State Administration Council said, according to Brig-Gen Ta Bon Kyaw, general secretary of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army.

" Attitude of the secretary of the NSPNC towards the country and ethnic people - 'even if you were able to capture the towns and villages of ethnic people, your regions would never be peaceful. We'll continue airstrikes, using sophisticated weapons that we have.” Brig-Gen Ta Bon Kyaw wrote on social network page on 1st January 2024.

The secretary of the NSPNC said at the meeting between the NSPNC led by Lt-Gen Min Naing and the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA,TNLA and AA) that was held in Kumming, China on 23rd December 2023, Brig-Gen Ta Bon Kyaw wrote on his page.

While seeing the letter written by Brig-Gen Ta Bon Kyaw

Currently, the TNLA has already captured Namtu, Namkham, Nangsan and Mang Ton Towns and is waging an offensive in order that Kyaukme and Hsibaw Towns in northern Shan State can be captured. 

In the same way, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has already captured Mong Ko, Phaung Sai, Kon Kyan, Kyukote (Pangsai) and Chin Shwe Haw Townships and is waging an offensive to capture Laukkai.

Moreover, the Arakan Army (AA) is waging battles in Rakhine State to expand controlled territories.

The Operation-1027 led by the Three Brotherhood Alliance has been waging since 27th October 2023 and the Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF), the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA), the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and PDFs led by Bo Nagar are participating in the operation. 

CNI News
January 1, 2024

The State Administration Council (SAC) would go on carrying out its political objectives and roadmap successfully, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC in his News Year greeting address to the nation.

 Quite a lot of property owned by the country and the people were damaged in 2023 because of various destructive activities, which brought a negative sign for the country, he said.

" The government and all ethnic people were able to overcome some of the difficulties and challenges that they encountered in 2023, hand in hand successfully. Those who do not want to make their country develop peacefully and democratically disturbed the people in various ways. Due to various subversive ‌activities, the state-owned and the people's properties were damaged and lost, which was a negative sign for the country. If there were no such damages and losses, our country would develop a lot. This is a lesson for us. We must overcome these difficulties with united strength and with love for the country. In 2024, our government will carry out with the people hand in hand in order that we can successfully implement the national objectives, political objectives and roadmap." he said.

However, he did not reveal how to approach in order that the national and political objectives may be successful. The SAC would encourage the improvement of economic and educational sectors, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Whie seeing the Five Point Roadmap of the SAC

Changes might appear at the end of January and on 1st February this year. So, The speech of the SAC chairman was not wrong, Col.Khun Okka, an EAO leader, told CNI News.

" He might have spoken like before because there have had no other changes during the New Year. But other changes might arise at the end of January and on 1st February or on 12th February. But what he have said so for the time being is not wrong, I think." said Col.Khun Okka.

The SAC has taken the power since the first of February 2021, declaring a state of emergency and its administration will be three years long on the first of February, 2024.

National census-taking would be conducted during this year so that a general election could be held and the SAC could hand over the State power to the winning party, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.