CNI News
8 December 2024

As the State administration Council has cut out the inflow of commodities into northern Shan State since November, the businesses there are hurt.

Mainly because of the higher price of fuel oil and the scarcity of raw materials, some businesses are finding it difficult to continue existing.

Livestock industry was hurt because the prices of raw materials for animal food and fuel oil were going up and many people depending on the industry were hurt as well, U Tin Maung Thein, a resident of Kyaukme in northern Shan State, told CNI News.

" Chicken feed is not allowed to enter and the prices are going up quite a bit as well and so is pig food. So, the people living in the livestock industry are finding it difficult. And the prices of fuel oil are so high. If a truck loaded with goods is not allowed to enter, people living in northern Shan State can't make a living." he said.

The flow of goods had been cut out in order that foodstuffs could not reach into the hands of EAOs, said a resident of Kyaukme.

While seeing the TNLA

" People in most of the territories captured by EAOs are in a crisis. It is the result of cutting out the food to EAOs by the military council." he said.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw has cut out the flow of goods to EAOs and vice versa in northern Shan State.

Trucks loaded with foodstuffs and medicine have been banned to run on the Mandalay-Nawnghkio Road, the Yatsauk-Nawnghkio Road, the Yatsauk-Nanglang Road and the Panglong Road up to now.

CNI News
8 December 2024

People in Putao District, Kachin State have run out of medicine and the prices of some medicines have skyrocketed, according to Putao locals.

Putao Township every so often runs out of medicine and the import of medicines has been limited since December 5, 2024. At present, because it is not easy to use the Myitkyina-Putao Road, medicines have to be carried by airplane. So, the prices are going up.

A kind of medicine that was paid 1,000 kyats is paid 6,000 kyats now, a local from Putao told CNI News.

" Not every kind of medicine is available. But some medicines are not buyable. In the past, medicines were directly carried by car. They were available easily. All the medicine companies are based in Yangon. Because  the motor roads cannot be used, if we order medicines, they are carried by air. Transportation charges for medicine are more expensive. The price of the medicine I am taking was 1,000 or 1,500 kyats before and but now I have to pay about 6,000 kyats. Naung Mon and Khawng Lan Phu are worse.” he said.

At present, 80 percent of the medicine that are used in Kachin State is being imported by air only. The medicine carried by car reached Myitkyina only and just a little to other towns.

due to the shortage of medicine, although the cost for medical treatment in the clinics, for example, was just 10,000 kyats before, it has been 30,000 kyats just now.

Although medicines for diabetes, hypertension and heart disease can be bought, they are more expensive than before. Customers could not choose the brands they liked when they bought medicine, a person who sells various kind of medicines from Putao told CNI News.

" Medicines from China don't enter so much although the road is open. There are not a  lot of Myanmar traditional medicines because it takes five days to make the medicines reach here from the Mandalay-Myitkyina road and the prices are going up. And customers can't choose the brand they like. They have to buy the medicines sold by drug stores." he said.

Because importing medicines to Kachin State has been tightened since June this year, shortage of medicines is getting worse.

CNI News
8 December 2024

Prior agreements have been reached before the election, chairman of the People's Party (PP) U Ko Ko Gyi told CNI News.

The meeting of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and political parties that have been registered was held in Naypyidaw from 5th to 6th December.

Agreements had been reached to conduct the reformations leading to federal and democracy; the coming election was different from previous elections because prior negotiations were conducted, said U Ko Ko Gyi.

" This is not the first time we discuss. Some agreements have been reached in the previous discussions. There are points to be discussed in details and those to be discussed again. We can't say it in detail at the moment. But we have agreed to conduct the reformations leading to federal and democracy as well as check and balance. But official amendment of the constitution can be conducted only when the Hluttaw appears. Previous elections were conducted without any prior discussions. So, There were confrontations regarding amendment of the constitution in the Hluttaw. But the coming election will be different from previous elections because we have reached some agreements after prior negotiations so that we can make significant reformations with a few disagreements." he said.

While seeing the NSPNC and political parties

The matters regarding amendment of the 2008 constitution and peace process based on NCA as well as the establishment of a federal union based on democracy and federalism and holding a free and fair multiparty democratic general election successfully were discussed at the meeting.

Political parties discussed pieces of advice and comments regarding the election, chairman of the Naga National Party (NNP) U Shu Maung told CNI News.

" We, political parties, discussed how we should make preparations and how the election should be held including voting systems if the election is held. Moreover, we frankly discussed pieces of advice and comments regarding how the election will be held at the meeting." he said.

Because the Myanmar Tatmadaw, EAOs and all political parties had accepted to build a federal democratic union, laws and provisions that went well with a federal democratic union were discussed, said political parties.

A general election would be held in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party in the election, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

CNI News

7 December 2024

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) reportedly met and discussed with political parties. 

The meeting was held in Naypyidaw from 5th to 6th December. 51 political parties which have been registered by the Union Election Commission attended the meeting. 

They discussed the federalism of India and the establishment of based on democracy and federalism union on December 5, and election, security and general matters, on December 6.

CNI News

7 December 2024

In solving the current conflicts breaking out in Rakhine State, there must not problems among Rakhine organizations, the chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) Saw Mya Raza Lin told CNI News. 

Rakhine State had sensitive history regarding race and religion and at present military conflicts are severe. Rakhine organizations needed generosity, she said.

" We haven't seen what organization will lead. Many Rakhine organizations are carrying out for the sake of Rakhine State what they can. We can't say what organization will lead. But sometime in the future, we must talk about the case regarding the entire nationality. So, Rakhine organizations must not clash one another. We need to be generous." she said.

China wanted to cooperate with international community in solving the Rakhine crisis and would participate in a constructive attitude, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning at the regular press conference held in Beijing on November 28, 2024.

While seeing a junction in Rakhine State

Because military conflicts are severe in Rakhine State, Rakhine people are getting into trouble. 

Asking Bengali people to do a military job and arming them in Rakhine State were creating racial and religious conflicts kind of, coordinator of the Arakan National Policy Coordination Committee (ANPCC) U Khin Maung Tun told CNI News.

" Currently, the people in Rakhine State are getting into trouble. The army of Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing is trying to re-capture the Rakhine region without taking anything into account or without considering it could destroy the interests of the people. And they have created racial and religious conflicts. We also did so before." he said.

While seeing those who were protesting against the AA

At present, battles are severely breaking out between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar Tatmadaw and there have been many IDPs.

Moreover, houses, schools, monasteries, religious buildings, bazaars, roads and bridges were destroyed and the people in Rakhine State are facing shortages of food, medicine and fuel oil.

In the same way, the Bengali issue that took place in 2017 has not been able to be solved as yet.

CNI News

6 December 2024

Paddy fields were sunk in the last rainfed paddy cultivation season due to Yagi storm and the yield was low. 

So, acres of Summer paddy cultivation have become more than last year and there might be three million acres of paddy in the coming Summer paddy cultivation season, according to farmers, estimated the Myanmar Rice Federation.

Although there are normally 17 lakh acres of Summer paddy cultivation each year in Ayeyarwady Region, there might be 20 lakh acres this year;  because rainfed paddy fields were sunk and the current price of paddy is higher, farmers are growing Summer paddy on the farms that were not grown, former chairman of the Farmers Development Association U Thein Aung told CNI News.

"Paddy is grown again on the places where paddy fields were sunk during the rainy season. Summer paddy is grown in the regions where there are a lot of virgin land. Summer paddy is grown more than previous years. The current price of paddy is at least 20 lakh per 100 baskets. And paddy is grown on the places where pulses plantations were destroyed as well. Normally there are 17 lakh acres of Summer paddy cultivation each year, but there might be until 20 lakh acres this year." he said.

While paddy is being threshed

There were 2.45 million acres of Summer paddy cultivation in 2015-16 fiscal year and the cultivation has increased yearly and in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, there might be until three million, according to the MRF.

However, because the prices of fuel oil and fertilizer are higher and the cost for hiring workers was higher as well than last year, the Summer paddy cultivation cost might increase until 300,000 kyats per acre, U Aye Win, a paddy farmer from Danuphyu Township, Ayeyarwady Region, told CNI News.

" Daily wages of a worker were just 10,000 kyats before in growing Summer paddy and but at present, daily wages are 15,000 kyats. The price of diesel was five or six lakh kyats per barrel before. The price of Premium Diesel is about 800,000 kyats this year. The price of Urea fertilizer was 75,000 or 80,000 kyats last year. But this year, the price is over 100,000 kyats. So, in comparison with last year, the cost probably will increase about 300,000 kyats per acre." he said.

Summer paddy is grown most in Ayeyarwady Region where there are 1.7 million acres of cultivation each year, and 250,000 acres of cultivation, in Yangon Region and 50,000 acres in Mandalay Region and over 40,000 acres in Mon State and Summer paddy is grown in other States and Regions as well.

CNI News

6 December 2024

Whether The International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan's request for an arrest warrant for the chairman of the State Administration Council, Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, for alleged crimes against humanity is a push for C in C to go on gripping power is being questioned by military and political analysts.

Chief prosecutor of the ICC, Karim Khan applied to the ICC Court to issue an arrest warrant for Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, the chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) on 27th November. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing might continue to keep a tight grip on power, U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing chief prosecutor of the ICC Karim Khan

" To tell you frankly what I have understood, he will keep a tight grip on power until he dies or faces capital punishment. We the people will try to bring him down until we die. No matter how he changes uniform or China supports him, we'll bring him down." he said.

“Myanmar is not a member of the ICC and has never recognized the statements of the ICC. Myanmar has been practicing a free, active and neutral foreign policy in its dealings with countries in the region and the world, and has been practicing the principle of peaceful coexistence among countries,” reported the SAC.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing could continue to wage battles, not depending on whether the ICC would issue an arrest warrant for him, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing the judges of the ICC and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

" No matter whether the ICC issue an arrest warrant for him or not, he has no alternative but to put pressure on the public more, using terrorist methods. They will kill people, set fire on houses, and bomb. And they are creating riots regarding nationalism. The SAC is creating to make revolutionary organizations fall apart. He'll go on doing these things. It's do or die for him. He has no alternatives." she said.

The ICC's pressure has made him believe that he needed to win security guarantee and he will keep a tight grip on power in a civilian or military power, pointed out some political analysts.

Sr. Gen Min Aung Hlaing has said the State power will be handed over the winning party in the election that will be held in 2025.

CNI News

6 December 2024

Although China might continue to play both the Myanmar Tatmadaw and EAOs, it would lean towards the Myanmar Tatmadaw, Swedish veteran journalist and Myanmar issue analyst, Bertil Lintner said. 

He answered the above in the interview with Delta News Agency that was broadcast on December 4.

" China will go on playing both sides - revolutionary forces and the military council. But it will lean towards the military council more. China is not interested in the change of government in Myanmar. It wants ceasefire and peace talks that it can manipulate with the carrot and stick system." said Bertil Lintner.

The National Unity Government (NUG) that was making attempts to seek power after overthrowing the SAC was not able to do anything except for letting world countries know the situation of Myanmar. 

While seeing leader of the MNDAA Peng Daxun

He didn't see the NUG as a player in the relation between the SAC and China, he said.

" China is the only external force that is interested in decisive intervention in the domestic affairs of Myanmar and it has been shown by the latest developments. No other country has as much contact with both revolutionary forces and EAOs as China." said Bertil Lintner.

China has close relations with the MNDAA and the TNLA fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw and provided assistance to Operation-1027 that was launched on October 27, 2023.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was studying a Chinese drone factory

And then the diplomatic relation between the SAC and China was tense. China is urging the MNDAA and the TNLA to cease battles and to hold peace talks and putting pressure on them by closing border trade gates in order that diplomatic relations could be good again.

So, the TNLA and the MNDAA have released their unilateral ceasefires in China's brokered peace efforts. 

On the other hand, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing went to China from 5th to 10th November and met with leaders of Yunnan Province including Chinese PM Li Chang and discussed matters regarding Myanmar issue, peace, trade and election.

Moreover, the chairman of the SAC went and studied drone factories in China and bought some drones from China and the Myanmar Tatmadaw is using Chinese drones more in the military operations.

CNI News

5 December 2024

As the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army has announced the unilateral ceasefire, China should tell the State Administration Council to cease fire, political commentators told CNI News. 

The MNDAA announced it would politically discuss at the Chinese mediation and start the unilateral ceasefire from 3rd December on. 

Moreover, it would not start fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Myanmar Tatmadaw would have to cease air and ground attacks, which the MNDAA has demanded. 

What the MNDAA demanded is like requesting China to put pressure on the SAC to cease fire so that it would be just and fair, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News.

" Chinese FM Wang Yi has said that China would relate with all the stakeholders fairly when the discussion and ceasefire are conducted. So, the MNDAA seems to want to tell China that if it is asked to cease fire, the SAC should be asked to do like this so that it will be just and fair."

While seeing the Kokang force has captured the Northeast Command

If the SAC wanted to discuss with the MNDAA, the MNDAA would send a high-level delegate and it had hoped that conflicts and disagreements could be solved with the political means, but it would maintain the self-defense, said in the statement.

As the SAC has lost many territories in northern Shan State, it might not accede to requests to cease offensives, pointed out military and political commentators. Moreover, new facts were not included in the statement of the MNDAA and it was the same as its previous statements. 

That the MNDAA released the statement was likely because the SAC has not ceased fire yet, U Khun Sai who took part in the peace process told CNI News.

" The state doesn't seem to contain any new facts. But it's likely because the SAC hasn't ceased fire. It hasn't been convenient although the statements are being released by the MNDAA and the TNLA. China needs to tell the SAC to cease fire. But I think China has already told the SAC. It seems to be waiting for the SAC's response." he said.

While the Kokang force has controlled Lashio

The similar statement was released by the TNLA before the MNDAA did and the same point, self-defense, was included in both statements. 

So, if the SAC launched offensives, they would defense.

China is putting pressure on organizations concerned to cease fire, and the MNDAA and the TNLA said that they accepted the China's mediation.

With the leadership of the MNDAA and the TNLA, the AA, the PDFs, then-1027 MNDAA and the TNLA launched Operation-1027 in northern Shan State on 27h October 2023 and as the second part, the operation was launched in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region in June, 2024.

During Operation-1027, the SAC lost control of Mogok, Momeik, Thabeikkyin, Sintku, Madaya, Lashio, Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Thibaw, Kutkai, Theinni, Namkham, Namtu, Mong Ngor, Mangtong, Nansang, Chin Shwe Haw, Phaungsai, Kon Kyan, Laukkai and Monko Townships.