CNI News

17 January 2024

He requested to reopen the roads and waterways that have been closed due to the battles breaking out in Rakhine State, U Thar Tun Hla, chairman of the Arakan National Party (ANP) told CNI News. 

Because the routes have been closed, the flow of goods has stopped. So, the locals are desperately in need of foodstuff and medicines and Civil organizations have not been able to help the locals yet, he said.

“In Rakhine State, the right to travel, the flow of goods and trade including foodstuff and medicine have been closed by the Tatmadaw. So, the Tatmadaw need to reopen the routes for the flow of goods. There is no situation that civil organizations also can help. The number of IDPs has increased day after day. So, it is necessary to reopen the routes that have been closed as soon as possible." U Thar Tun Hla, said.

While seeing members of the Arakan National Party

After the battles between the Tatmadaw and the AA resumed on 13th November 2023, routes have been closed. The AA stated that it was able to capture Paletwa Town on 14th January 2024.

It was possible that the Tatmadaw had closed the routes according to the security and depending on the battles, it might perform, said a politician. 

Employments have been suspended due to the battles and the people were finding it difficult for their livelihoods, U Nyi Pu, in charge of the Sinbaw Gaing IDP Camp in Mrauk U Township, told CNI News.

While seeing Rakhine IDPs

" There are a lot of difficulties. Now the people have no jobs. There are many IDPs. Moreover, more IDPs will increase. Because the people have no jobs, it's difficult for their livelihoods. A food crisis is taking place. The cultivation area is much less around here. Those who sell rice can't come here because the routes have been closed. The people here have no jobs. The prices of rice have gone up sharply. So, it's very difficult for the livelihoods." he said.

The battles are currently breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the AA in Sittwe, Kyauk Phyu, Ranbye, Myebon, Taung Goat, Thandwe, Maungdaw,Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Pauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk U, Ponna Kyun townships, Rakhine State as well as in Paletwa Township.

CNI News

16 January 2024

Because of the battles breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) in Paletwa Township, Chin State, residents of Paletwa and locals from the nearby area are fleeing to the India-Myanmar border, said locals. 

The number of IDPs was about 20,000 and 50 percent of them need food, an official from the Chin State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told CNI News.

" Because the battles are breaking out, the locals from Paletwa have to flee to the India-Myanmar border after crossing Kaladan Stream. They are staying in three villages near the bank. no doubt they need food. But how can't we help them. We can't use the road. It would be convenient if the route from the Indian side was open.We want the political and military conflicts to be resolved. For the time being, locals have upland rice, so they can still eat it. There are about 100,000 people in Paletwa Township. There are about 20,000 people in and around Paletwa. About 10,000 people are getting into trouble now." he said.

while seeing Paletwa Town

The number of locals in and around Paletwa who fled to safety as IDPs have increased lately. Moreover, residents of Sami Town have fled to safety and there are old people and children left in the town, said locals. Palatwa was also almost destroyed due to heavy artillery fire, they said.

Because the battles resumed, the number of IDPs has increased more than 2015-2016 when the battles broke out, U Aung Din, a Paletwa resident, told CNI News.

" In 2015-2016, battles broke out in villages only. But now battles have arrives in towns, so it's getting worse. Especially, unmarried young men and women have fled to safety because they don't dare to live in the town anymore. And then their parents also have fled. About ten days ago, the price of rice didn't go up. But any goods coming from lower parts and Ngapi, dried fish, eggs, onion and edible oil coming from Rakhine State - their prices have gone up." he said.

While seeing residents of Shinletwa Village in Paletwa Township

It is reported that food supply and aid activities cannot be carried out due to tight security, traffic restriction and road closures when battles are breaking out.

Some Paletwa residents who can afford are fleeing to Yangon through the smuggling route, spending 1,000,000 kyats per person reportedly.

CNI News

16 January 2024

Questions and discussions in relation to whether the SAC accepts putting Hopang and Pan Lon in Shan State under the United Wa State Army (UWSA)'s administration are being conducted among political circles.

After the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA, TNLA and AA) attacked Hopang on 5th January, the UWSA deployed its troops in the town. After that, the UWSA controlled Pan Lon that is about 20 miles away from Hopang. 

The State Administration Council (SAC) had no objection about the UWSA's control over Hopang and Pan Lon because they had been the UWSA's territories since before, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" Hopang and Pan Lon are two Wa townships omitted from Wa region because General Khin Nyunt's regime didn't grant Wa the state level. But according to military situation of the northeastern region that changed, the Myanmar National democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) handed over Hopang and Pan Lon to the UWSA. The SAC has no reason to object it because it is consistent with a real situation, I think." he said.

While seeing the UWSA officials who will administer Hopang and Pan Lon

After demanding the Union Government to give the two townships to the UWSA, the SAC agreed to hand over Hopang and Pan Lon to the UWSA on 4th January 2024, the Wa State TV stated on 13th January.

Hopang and Pan Lon that were under the Tatmadaw's control in the past were handed over to the UWSA, holding the ceremony on 10th and 11th January, it stated. However, the SAC did not release anything about handing over Hopang and Pan Lon to the UWSA.

Putting the two townships under the UWSA's administration has kind of broken the perpetuality of sovereignty, U Thet Zaw, a political commentator, told CNI News.

" As a citizen, I don't like putting these townships under the UWSA's administration because it has kind of broken the perpetuality of sovereignty among the Our Three Main Causes. We'll have to re-take the townships at one time or another. Different administrations like this isn't systematic, I think. We'll have to designate self administered regions only after the constitution is amended." he said.

According to the 2008 constitution, Hopang, Mongmao Panwai, Nahpan, Matman and Pangkham Townships have been designated as the Wa Self-Administered Division, grouping into two districts.

CNI News
January 15, 2024

The Kuki National Army (KNA) arrested and killed four Shanni people who returned from attending to the funeral of an old Shanni woman, an IDP, on 13th January, said locals.

Due to the battles breaking out near the India-Myanmar border, Shanni people fled to San Khat Law Village that has been built on the India-Myanmar border line.

" The Kuki-Chin force arrested and killed four Shanni men who returned from attending the funeral of an old woman, an IDP. It's not clear why. Moreover, in November 2023, the Kuki Force arrested and killed 37 Shanni people. Among them were included all the family members including children." said a resident of Thanan Village.

While seeing Shanni IDPs from Thanan Village

Four residents of Thanan Village around 40 years of age - Say Myo Aung, Say Phoe Too, Say Phoe Ni and Say San Myint- they were arrested and killed by the Kuki Force on the way back from attending to a funeral of an old Shanni woman, an IDP. The Kuki force arrested and killed 37 Shanni people on 24th November 2023.

Thanan Village is included in Tamu Township, Sagaing Region and the Tamu People's Defense Force, the KNA/KNO, the Tatmadaw and the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) have been active militarily in that township.

The battles break out every so often between the Tatmadaw and PDF/KNA joint forces in the township.

CNI News
13 January 2024

The basic foodstuff which arrived in Sittwe, Rakhine State will be sold to the people at reasonable prices, said the Office of the Government of Rakhine State.

The MV MoonLight Ship which carried about 4,000 tons of a variety of goods including gasoline, palm oil, chilli, onion, basic foodstuff and medicines arrived in Sittwe 9th January with the arrangement of the Rakhine State government.

There are the territory controlled by the Tatmadaw and the territory controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State. It was less likely that The basic foodstuff that has arrived in Sittwe would be sold to the people outside Sittwe City, Ko Zaw Tun, a resident of Mrauk U, told CNI News.

" It will be less likely that these basic foodstuffs will reach other towns except for Sittwe. In fact, if they want the people to be convenient, all the roads and waterways must be re-opened. They seem to want to show that the people only in the places that they have already controlled are convenient. The military council doesn't seem to want to give the foodstuff to other places." he said.

While the motorcycles are waiting in line to get the foodstuff and fuel that recently arrived in Rakhine State

Although CNI News asked U Hla Thein, spokesperson of the state government, how the basic foodstuff arrived on 9th January, he gave no answer.

However, Chief Minister of Rakhine State U Htain Lin said at a meeting held on 8th January that the goods would be directly delivered into the hands of consumers. Moreover, fuel would be systematically sold in order that it could be used for long to an extent, he added.

The Directorate of Road Transport was selling fuel with the quota system in Sittwe, Daw Khin Myo, a resident of Sittwe, told CNI News.

 While seeing the Government of Rakhine State

" I heard that 92/95 gasoline will be sold two litre per week to licensed motorcycles and five litres per week to the three-wheel motorcycles. At present, I heard that so many people are waiting in line at the Directorate of Road Transport. If the products are distributed to the consumers without letting a lot of products arrive in the hands of traders, we may reach the normal situation, I think." she said.

The officials from the Rakhine State Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Rakhine State Oil Mill Entrepreneurs Association, the Rakhine State Fuel Entrepreneurs Association and the Sittwe Myoma Market Committee have discussed how to sell currently arrived products to consumers at lower prices and to import any more of products.

The battles have been breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) starting from 13th November 2023 and all the roads and waterways in Rakhine State have been closed by the SAC for about two months.

CNI News

12 January 2024

Tamu locals are finding it difficult to go to Moreh in order to sell goods due to the ongoing communal conflict in Manipur Province, India, according to Tamu locals. 

They go to Moreh in order to sell regionally produced goods and consumer goods and import Indian textiles from Moreh. 

However, at present, Indian army is strictly checking in Moreh and although it is convenient for those who can speak Indian language, ordinary Tamu locals are finding it difficult, Ko Min Ko who is buying and selling goods in Tamu Town and Moreh Town, told CNI news agency.

" For the time being, it's convenient for Chin and Hindi people who live in both Moreh and Myanmar. They can speak Indian language. Ordinary Myanmar people are not okay. Basic workers in Tamu are in trouble. Some go to Moreh to sell goods, taking risk. Some buy vegetables in Tamu and go to IDP villages and sell them. Almost everyone gets into trouble." he said.

While people are going and coming on the Tamu-Moreh border crossing bridge

The Tamu-Moreh border gate is the main path that is used to export Myanmar goods to India. 70 percent of Tamu locals are depending on the Tamu-Moreh border trade and a lot of people are crossing the border daily. Because Tamu locals trade with Moreh and they also do freight, they are finding it difficult at present reportedly.

Moreover, because of difficult transportation, Tamu residents can only go to Moreh and sell goods every three days, Ko Ye Lin Aung, a Tamu resident, told CNI News.

" We can't go to Moreh everyday. The goods from Kalay Town, from Mountains and from Chin mountains can't reach here everyday because the roads have been closed. Only when groceries and vegetables reach, we can go to Moreh every three days. For the time being, it's not possible any more for us to stay in Moreh temporarily." he said.

Because the battles are breaking out along the Kalay-Tamu road, the trade routes have been blocked. So, commodity prices are going up in Tamu and it is difficult to buy some goods. Moreover, construction work and transportation business also have been suspended reportedly.

When the battles broke out in Tamu in the past, some Myanmar people entered India as IDPs. Now India are sending them back to Myanmar.

CNI News

12 January 2024

The current Myanmar government was trying for the national peace and stability, and national reconciliation, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), while meeting with the ASEAN Special Envoy Mr. Alounkeo Kittikhoun from Laos, rotating chairman of the ASEAN. 

Mr. Kittikhoun came to Myanmar and met and discussed with Sr.Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the SAC, Myanmar FM U Than Swe, the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) Chairman Lt-Gen Yar Pyae including the seven NCA (the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement) signatories on 10th January 2024.

" Due to the occurrence of vote fraud in the 2020 multi-party democratic general election, the SAC had to take the responsibilities of the State. Armed terrorist attacks without a political solution to political differences arose. The SAC was trying for the national peace and stability, and national reconciliation." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

However, he did not reveal the details of what the SAC was doing for the national reconciliation. He explained that the Tatmadaw was trying hard to enable the country to walk firmly on the path of multi-party democracy and the SAC was carrying out for the State peace and development after laying down the five point roadmap.

The ASEAN Special Envoy is to meet with political parties on 12th January. The SAC's six month extension for the state of emergency will expire on 31st January and it will reshuffle the cabinet on that day.

Some EAOs have suggested Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing to form a transitional government or an interim government.However, they did not reveal which individuals should be included in the transitional government.

CNI News

12 January 2024

India government is planning to enable the citizens from both countries cross the border and carrying out to allow the citizens to pass with cross-border visa, said residents of Tamu, a Myanmar border town. 

At present, residents of Tamu illegally cross the border and go to Moreh, an Indian border town, to sell goods but doing so is with mutual understanding only.

However, Myanmar people tend to be beaten when conflicts take place. If cross-border visas were issued, it would be necessary to guarantee regional stability, Ko Min Ko, a Tamu resident who goes to Moreh to buy and sell goods, told CNI News.

Nan Phar Lone Market in Tamu near the India-Myanmar border

"If the cross-border visas are to be issued accurately, it will be peaceful on their side, if they have insurance, we'll have a little more opportunity than we have now. If not so, it will be nothing more than to cost us. When it's stable on their side, they allow us to sell goods. When they are in need of food, they allow Myanmar people to sell goods. If there's a bad problem among them, Myanmar people would be beaten and expelled. At a time like that, whether you have the visa or not might not be important. Because they are nice only when they need us, whether you have the visa or not won't make any difference, I think.” he Said.

According to the free movement program between the Manipur Province and Myanmar, part of the Look East policy of the government of India, the citizens on one side can enter the other side until the places that are 16 kilometers away from the border line. 

However, due to the current racial conflict, for the stability of the border area, the program will be suspended. If the program was suspended, Tamu residents who go to Moreh to sell goods might become jobless, said locals.

India-Myanmar cross-border gate

If the cross-border visas were issued by India, it could be difficult for basic workers, Ko Ye Lin Aung, a Tamu resident, told CNI News.

" If the visas were issued, it wouldn't be convenient, I think because almost everybody would have to apply for the visa. But basic workers can't afford. It would help us a lot if we were allowed to stay in Moreh for a while like before." he said.

Tamu residents can go to Moreh to sell goods twice a week at present and as going like that is kind of illegal, if the Indian soldiers saw them, they would be beaten reportedly.

Myanmar citizens in Tamu go and sell locally produced bitter bean, mustard and consumer goods coming from China to the Indian citizens in Moreh. Because it is difficult to go and sell every day at present, the commodities' prices are declining and farmers are making a loss.

CNI News

12 January 2024

The position of National Security Adviser given to the Minister of Interior Lt-Gen Yar Pyae was transferred to General Moe Aung, the State Administration Council (SAC) reported on 8th January 2024. 

Lt-Gen Yar Pyae has still taken many responsibilities as a member of the SAC, as the Minister for Home Affairs and as the chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC).

General Moe Aung, who was appointed as a replacement for Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, was the Navy Chief, and Chief of Staff (Navy) Lt- Gen Zwe Win Myint was promoted to the position of Chief of Defense Staff (Navy). General Moe Aung will serve as the National Security Advisor and as the Union Minister for the Office (4) of the Chairman of the SAC.

U Ko Ko Hlaing has been appointed as the Union Minister for the Office (1) of the Chairman of the SAC and U Aung Naing Oo for the Office (2), the SAC reported on 8th January 2024.