CNI News

4 December, 2025

The United States, under President Donald Trump, appears to be trying to adjust its policy toward Myanmar, according to Colonel Khun Okkar, Chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), who spoke to CNI News.

On November 24, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it would terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) previously granted to Myanmar nationals, citing Myanmar’s preparations for elections and visible administrative improvements.

Colonel Khun Okkar said,“It looks like they’re trying to change their policy. They haven’t actually changed it yet. Fundamentally, it hasn’t changed. But the US sees the way the State Security and Peace Commission is handling things now such as the election process, the political scope being expanded again. So, the US seems to show that they think adjustments may be necessary. Because of that, I believe they issued this statement to signal that they want to observe more before making a decision.”

U.S. announcement on TPS termination for Myanmar

The U.S. stated that the situation in Myanmar has improved to a level where Myanmar nationals could safely return home, which is why TPS was terminated.

It added that there have been significant improvements in administration and stability in Myanmar, that the State of Emergency had been lifted, and that preparations were underway for free and fair elections. Successful ceasefire agreements and better local governance were leading to improved public services and national reconciliation, according to the U.S. government.

As a result, the U.S. said conditions had now improved enough for Myanmar nationals to safely return.

Approximately 4,000 Myanmar nationals currently live in the United States under TPS. With no further extensions available, TPS holders will only be allowed to remain for up to 60 more days.

TPS is commonly used by people who do not wish to apply for asylum but need temporary permission to stay in the U.S., and it also provides eligibility for legal work authorization.

TPS was first granted to Myanmar people after the 2021 political crisis under former President Joe Biden’s administration.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

Colonel Khun Okkar of PNLO-NCA/S said the U.S. government under President Donald Trump does not appear to be directly endorsing Myanmar’s military, but views Myanmar as “stabilizing,” and that changes may follow after the election.

He explained:“Even though they’re not openly endorsing the military, the upcoming election could bring a turning point. There is already a certain level of stability before the election. Afterward, a parliament and a government will emerge. If those institutions function properly, it may be seen as improved stability. So this early termination of TPS could be based on an expectation of political changes after the election — a belief that things will move in a more positive direction. It’s like allowing TPS holders to return home if they wish, based on that expectation.”

Myanmar will hold Part 1 of the election on December 28, 2025, in 102 townships, and Part 2 on January 11, 2026, in 100 townships. Part 3 is expected in the final week of January 2026.

The upcoming election is expected to bring political change to the country, and the government says it wants citizens to vote. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, said people should vote for those who will protect the Our Three Main National Causes and promote economic development.

He stated that after the election, power will be transferred to the winning party, and the military will only handle national defense responsibilities.

CNI News

4 December 2025

Myanmar, where the social situation has fallen to an extremely low state, needs politicians and businesspeople to cooperate and establish a strong economic system to move the country forward, economic and political analysts say.

Economic analyst U Htay Aung Kyi told CNI News that no country exists without politicians and businesspeople, and what truly matters is how they think. Therefore, politicians and businesspeople must collaborate for national development.

He said:“Honestly speaking, there is no country without politicians and businesspeople. The important thing is their mindset. For example, in South Korea, Park Chung-hee created cronies — but why did the country still develop? In Myanmar, cronies were also created. So why did none of these cronies reach the international level? The way they were nurtured is important.Another thing is that business people look for profit. For national development, you have to look at the entire national economic system. Something may benefit cronies a lot, but if it harms the national economy, it should not be done. If the country collapses, everything collapses — I can guarantee that.In South Korea, Japan, and Singapore, the major transformation was called the ‘democratic transition’. We must understand that. Democracy is about understanding how the national economic system and public administration system work, and how to clearly explain this to the politicians. That is crucial.In reality, we lack genuine experience. We have weaknesses. We don’t have a habit of listening. That is our main problem. Democracy requires thinking for the country’s future, and we need to be able to explain firmly and clearly so that politicians understand.”

grassroots communities

In Myanmar, each time a new government takes office, a new group of cronies tends to emerge. Although no crony has ever completely collapsed due to U.S. sanctions, the public continues to bear the indirect impact of sanctions. Additionally, the country’s financial and economic sectors continue to suffer from second-hand effects and long-term damage.

Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), told CNI News that in Myanmar, no matter how much politicians claim to love the country, they cannot operate without financial backing.

He said:“In Myanmar, if you want to run a political party, no matter how much you love the country, you cannot do anything without support. Some political parties do have genuine political intentions. But when they need money, they turn to businesspeople. When they do that, the businessperson will not help unless they see personal benefit. If the businessperson supports them, it is with the expectation of profit — and when that happens, the politician becomes tied up by them. In such a situation, the country is the one that fails.”

armed groups and political parties

On January 31, 2023, the political party registration law was enacted in Myanmar. Under this law, any party wanting to register at the Union level must open offices in more than 100 townships, gather 50,000 party members, and pay a 100 million kyat registration fee to the Union Election Commission (UEC).

Furthermore, when parties participate in elections, they also need funding for campaign expenses for their candidates. Because of these conditions, political parties and politicians have come to rely heavily on financial support from business people — which has allowed businesspeople to gain increasing control over political parties.

CNI News

4 December 2025

If the new government cannot work back-to-back( stand together) with the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw), it will certainly collapse the next day, said Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) Chairman U Khin Yi.

He said this during political campaign speeches delivered while meeting with USDP supporters in Pathein, Ayeyarwady Region, on November 26 and 27, 2025.

U Khin Yi said, “A vote from the heart is good, but we value the vote that comes from the brain. You must think carefully about what kind of person deserves your vote. Vote for the person you like. But there are points you must consider. Number one: in our country, there are many violent extremists. If the new government does not work back-to-back with the Tatmadaw, it’s certain that this government will collapse the next day. Keep this in mind when you choose.”

On 1 February 2021, the Myanmar military removed the NLD government, accusing it of attempting to form a government without resolving disputes over the 2020 general election voter list, and subsequently took state power. After that, a state of emergency was declared, which has continued until 2025.

Currently in Myanmar, ethnic armed organizations and Spring Revolution forces are cooperating to try to remove the military, and heavy fighting is ongoing.

The military announced that it will hold Part (1) of the election on December 28, 2025, Part (2) on January 11, 2026, and Part (3) in the last week of January.

The military has said that it will transfer state power to whichever political party wins the election, and that it will serve only in a defense role, according to Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

Political and military analysts, however, point out that although the USDP is expected to win the election without serious competition, the new government may be formed under the leadership of the military, not the USDP.

CNI News

3 December 2025

To achieve lasting peace in Myanmar, the public should protest through nonviolent means and make their demands known, said Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), speaking to CNI News.

Military and political analysts point out that in peace-building processes, there are many differing viewpoints, ideologies, and approaches being attempted.

In Myanmar, every time a new government comes to power, the people, policies, and institutions involved in the peace process also change. As a result, the political foundations built by previous governments lose credibility, leading to continued deadlocks.

Sai Htay Aung of the TNDP told CNI that if peace cannot be achieved through negotiations with armed groups, then the public must resort to peaceful protest:

Armed groups, government officials, and political parties in discussion

“If an organization refuses to pursue peace, then people should protest against it.The government must have genuine goodwill.The desire for peace must come from within their hearts.There are many people who say they want peace, but in reality they don’t want it. Why? Because the longer peace is absent, the more freedom they have to conduct business.They are acting like warlords.If peace is achieved, they will have to live under the law — many groups don’t want that.So the public needs to be united.To overcome these challenges, people must protest peacefully against these armed groups.”

Analysts also note that peace cannot be achieved without considering the root causes of conflict — historical grievances, ideological disputes, and political beliefs.

Sai Htay Aung further said that in order to achieve lasting peace in Myanmar, the issue must be addressed through social and economic means:

Public protesting to demand an end to the fighting

“I believe peace will have to be achieved through the people.Our peace process started back in 1989.From 1989 onward, armed groups made peace.At that time, the government told them: first take peace, and then you can do business.When a new government later discussed political matters with them, armed groups began operating businesses openly.Town and rural areas became interconnected, and they were given mineral concessions and special zones.So people came to believe that only those with arms could succeed — armed groups received privileges, while ordinary people did not.Because of that, many people tried to take up arms.They bought weapons and recruited members.This is why the country's biggest problem today stems from the peace process itself.To achieve lasting peace, we must address it through social and economic reforms.”

Military and political analysts also note that ideas such as establishing a single national army, officially recognizing ethnic armed groups, or granting them autonomous territories are approaches based on a “security perspective,” and cannot be implemented in a short time.

Currently, heavy clashes continue between the Myanmar military(Tatmadaw) and armed groups across the country, and peace efforts remain stalled.

CNI News

3 December 2025

Because the public is still not alert or engaged regarding the upcoming multi-party democratic general election, the Mon Unity Party (MUP) is facing difficulties in conducting its election campaign, according to the party’s spokesperson, Naing Than Shwe, who spoke to CNI News.

He said:“It’s election campaign season now. We are also going out to campaign. But we can’t gather large crowds of people. The public is not very aware or energized yet. So our party members go around in small groups of one or two, gather around 30 people at a time, explain the voting system, and show them how to cast their votes.We also explain what rights they will lose if they do not vote.There are difficulties.In Mon State, especially, many people work in rubber plantations.Because of that, they wake up very early—around midnight—then go to work.During the hot season, rubber tapping starts even earlier, so they don’t have time to attend our events.”

Currently in Mon State, the parties preparing to contest the election include the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), People’s Pioneer Party (PPP), People’s Party (PP), Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), the National Unity Party (TaSaNya), the Myanmar Farmers Development Party, the Mon Unity Party (MUP), and the Pa-O National Development Party.

Members of the Mon armed group, New Mon State Party (NMSP)

Under the present political situation in Myanmar, where armed conflicts are widespread and escalating, ethnic political parties are reportedly facing more difficulties than major mainland parties during the campaign period.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stated during his visit to Maubin, Ayeyarwady Region, on November 23 that whether people choose to vote or not is entirely their own decision.

Naing Than Shwe of the Mon Unity Party also told CNI:“Especially for small parties, it is a struggle.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and members of the NMSP

It’s not that they are weak, but for this election, what we want to tell the voters is simply: please go and vote.Choose whoever you like.You can vote for whomever you prefer.This is the right of the voters.We just want to urge them not to lose this right.”

It is also learned that the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Mon armed group, is not exerting pressure on political parties contesting the upcoming election nor on Mon voters.

The election will be held in three phases—on December 28, 2025; January 11, 2026; and in the final week of January 2026. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has stated that the government formed as a result of the election will receive a transfer of state power.

CNI News

3 December 2025

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is a figure who should rightfully be involved in discussions and negotiations aimed at resolving Myanmar’s ongoing national crises and armed conflicts, said Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson for the 7 EAO Alliance, speaking to CNI News.

He said that when addressing political issues and working to overcome the country’s challenges, the future of Myanmar can only be shaped through coordinated negotiations among all groups that ought to participate in such efforts.

He stated:“With Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s release, it’s difficult for me to say exactly how the situation in our country might change.But when we are trying to overcome the political and national crises we face, all individuals and organizations that must be part of the solution should necessarily be involved.Only through cooperation, negotiation, and consensus among all these essential stakeholders can we shape the future of our country.
Anyone—individuals or organizations—who has committed to addressing the nationwide crisis from a broader perspective should also include DASSK as a key stakeholder.”

Former KNU Chairman Mutu Say Poe, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

Meanwhile, whether or not the government releases Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should only be considered based on the situation after the election, said Colonel Khun Oakkar, Chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO–NCA/S).

He stated:“From what I see, I don’t think they will release DASSK before the election.

They will consider it only depending on the situation that arises after the election.

If they release her before the vote, everything will become chaotic.If the post-election environment is more relaxed and brings positive change, then a new approach could emerge — one that more people might be able to accept.But if nothing changes after the election and the same people remain in control, then stability will be difficult.In any case, no one can say for sure whether she will be released or not.Even after the election, if they don’t want to release her, they won’t.If they do release her, it will most likely be after the election.”

On February 1, 2021, the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) removed the National League for Democracy (NLD) government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, claiming unresolved issues regarding alleged irregularities in the 2020 general election.

Following the coup, the military detained Aung San Suu Kyi, U Win Myint, and other senior officials.

Armed conflict subsequently escalated between the military and resistance groups, and the country has since faced severe political, economic, social, health, and education crises.

CNI News

3 December 2025

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has accumulated weapons debt amounting to more than one billion US dollars, according to its General Secretary, Major General Tar Bhone Kyaw, who wrote on his Facebook page on the night of December 1, 2025.

In June 2025, during Operation 1027, the TNLA captured Mogok City from the Myanmar military(Tatmadaw).

Later, on November 29, 2025, under China’s mediation, the group handed Mogok back to the Myanmar military — a move that drew criticism.

In response to that criticism, Major General Tar Bhone Kyaw posted under the title “The Mogok Tiga.”

Major General Tar Bhone Kyaw wrote: “Since thousands of years ago, the Ta’ang people have lived in Mogok (Mogu—‘the shining ruby’). We have always intended for Mogok to return to the hands of the Ta’ang people. But now, it feels like receiving a piece of cake only to have it knocked out of your hands before you can eat it. It is heartbreaking.

But I believe those who continue to strive will eventually see results. To those who said that we are betrays, I want them to reassess the revolution carefully and hold on to the true realities.”

He continued: “The Spring Revolution was supported with the best resources we had, accumulated over more than 10 years. We fed, trained, and built up the fighters who raised the three-finger salute.Within 3–4 years, we provided manpower in the thousands.Now we are burdened with weapons debt exceeding a billion US dollars.”

The TNLA did not specify to which armed organization it owes this large weapons debt.
However, other armed groups say that the TNLA’s weapons debt is owed to the UWSA (United Wa State Army).

Major General Tar Bhone Kyaw further stated that:“We threw ourselves headfirst at the wall of dictatorship.Our foreheads were blood-red and we nearly died.When the Bamar called D Day, we could not join them, but we tried to keep up with our momentum.When we actually carried out Operation 1027, no real D-Day came from them.In the end, we were left alone, and even our own relatives in the villages suffered airstrikes.”

He continued:“Our hearts ache.We have no ammunition, no budget, and there is in the decrease of people to die.So we had to give up Mogok and Momauk and agree to a ceasefire.The struggle is not over yet, but the insults are overwhelming.Oh dear… Those whom we fed and raised into capable people — I want to see whether they can retake Mogok.Lash out at us after taking a rest and fight against the military dictator after taking a rest.For revolutionaries, our doors remain open.If needed, come and take shelter.”

The TNLA launched Operation 1027 jointly with allied forces on October 27, 2023, and began the second phase in June 2024.

Although the group captured 12 townships, from June 2025 onward the Myanmar military gradually regained control over Naungcho, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Mogok, Momauk, and other areas.

CNI News

2 December 2025

The Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) is presenting four key points to the public and is mobilizing people based on these four points, said TNDP Chairman Sai Htay Aung in an interview with CNI News.

The Union Election Commission (UEC) has warned political parties to comply with election laws and regulations during public gatherings, speeches, and campaign activities.

The upcoming multi-party general elections will begin on December 28, and during the 60-day campaign period, candidates may put up party signboards in their respective constituencies and distribute pamphlets as part of their campaign activities.

TNDP Chairman Sai Htay Aung said they are explaining to the public what kind of future would be best for Myanmar and are mobilizing support based on that vision.

TNDP party delivering a public mobilization speech

He said: “We first explain to the people what type of future system would be best for the country, and then we mobilize. Peace is the most important thing for the people of Myanmar.
When there is no peace, people suffer like this. When the wars stop, peace will come, and with peace, development will be possible.So our Point No. 1 is peace.Point No. 2 concerns our Shanni (Tai Leng) ethnic group.Even though we have strong historical evidence, our ethnic identity has been divided into many subgroups — so we talk about the issue of ethnic identity.Point No. 3 concerns our farmers.We address how to improve the livelihoods of farmers in Myanmar.

And Point No. 4 is constitutional amendment.These are our four main points for mobilization.

These four points are also our four areas of work that we present to the public.As for how other parties mobilize, I have only heard about it.”

The UEC announced on October 15 that campaign activities for the general elections starting December 28 may take place within the 60-day period from 6 a.m. on October 28 to midnight on December 26.

TNDP Chairman Sai Htay Aung also said that people in Kachin State are suffering heavily from high commodity prices and have reported many complaints.

TNDP party delivering a public mobilization speech

He said:“There are many complaints.In our region, Kachin State, people are suffering greatly from the high prices.This is also because peace has not been achieved, and many checkpoints have been set up for inspections, which increases costs and results in high prices.If peace is achieved and the checkpoints disappear, prices would not be this high.Now the prices between Mandalay and Myitkyina differ threefold.So when we talk about peace as our main point, it is also because people have raised these issues.I also have to explain this in return.As for national development, it can only happen once peace is achieved.Therefore, our top priority is peace.”

In Myanmar, Phase (1) of the general elections will be held on December 28, 2025, followed by Phase (2) on January 11, 2026.

Phase (3) will be held in late January 2026, according to the National Defense and Security Council’s Information Team Chief, Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, on November 10.

CNI News

2 December 2025

Education staff serving in Banmauk Township, in the northern part of Sagaing Region, have not received their salaries and have been forced to borrow money from local business owners to cover their daily living expenses, according to sources.

A total of 338 education staff in Banmauk Township have not been paid and collectively borrowed 240 million kyats from local business owners.

It is learned from the staff that the borrowed amount is being distributed among the 338 currently serving staff by the Banmauk Township Deputy Township Education Officer and the Education Liaison Officers.

Regarding the unpaid salaries of staff in Banmauk Township and their need to borrow money from local business owners, staff members said that Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) Brigade 614 helped them coordinate access to the loans.

CNI contacted the Ministry of Education and the Sagaing Region Government regarding the situation of the 338 unpaid education staff and their borrowing of money from business owners in Banmauk, but as of today, no response has been received.

Education staff in Banmauk Township

Banmauk Town, including its southern, northern, and eastern areas, is currently controlled by a joint force of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), People’s Defence Forces (PDF), and Kadu armed groups.

KIA–PDF–Kadu joint forces launched an offensive attack on Banmauk on September 15, 2025, captured it on September 20, and have maintained control up to the present.

The Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) has been trying for more than two months to retake Banmauk but has been unsuccessful. The commander of the Northwestern Command, Maj-Gen Myo Min Htwe, has also been removed from his position.