CNI News

30 May 2025

In the context of Myanmar's many armed conflicts, it was necessary to consider whether the multi-party system is pushing the country to an extreme, Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan National Front (AFP), told CNI News.

In the current situation where armed conflicts are rampant in our country, we need to consider whether the multi-party system is pushing us towards an extremity, whether it is making the freedom of a nationality and rebuilding the country of a nationality fall aparts. We are not yet mature in our experience of democracy.

“Look at the two governments that came into power under the 2008 constitution. Did the NLD government follow the agreements and commitments made during the U Thein government? Did the NLD government reject them and then act in contempt, or ignore them? We have to think about the Myanmar Tatmadaw in this way. When a multi-party democracy is not mature, the opposition is suppressed.by words. Multi-party democracy is a necessity in places with many ethnic groups. It is a multi-party democracy that can push nationalism to the extreme, so we need some controls," said Dr. Aye Maung

While the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties

After the Myanmar Tatmadaw seized power in 1962, General Ne Win formed the Burma Socialist Programme Party, which ruled Myanmar under a one-party system until 1988.
Then, a large-scale uprising by the entire public erupted, leading to the historic 8888 Uprising.

As a result, the Myanmar Socialist Programme Party system was also dissolved, and on September 18, 1988, the Myanmar Army, led by Senior General Saw Maung, seized power and formed the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to govern the country. 

Then, on May 27, 1990, the Union of Myanmar held a multi-party democratic general election.

National Democratic Force (NDF) Vice Chairman U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News that the current situation in the country requires a thorough treatment of the root causes of political unrest rather than being caused by multi-party politics or one-party politics.

While the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was casting his vote in the election.

"Rather than because of one party or multi party system, we need to be able to address the root causes of political unrest. Multi-party system was practised before one-party system. Because the one-party system was not convenient, the 88 Uprising emerged. So, the key question is how all the ethnic groups will negotiate with each other. If the implementation of a one-party system cannot solve this political problem, armed revolution and war will not end." he said.

Multi-party democratic elections will be held firmly and cooperation only is needed, not opposition, the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said on March 9, 2025. In addition, the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has said that elections will be held in Myanmar between December 2025 and January 2026.

The National Unity Government (NUG), the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), some ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), the People's Defense Forces (PDF), and pro-democracy activists, who are fighting to overthrow the SAC and the Myanmar Tatmadaw, have declared that they will surely sabotage the elections to be held by the SAC.

CNI News

30 May 2025

There are reviews among military and political analysts about whether Malaysia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, can push Myanmar's political landscape forward more than other rotating ASEAN countries.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamed Hassan said after a private meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers regsrding Myanmar on May 25 that Malaysia is aware of the views of relevant opposition groups involved in the Myanmar political crisis.

He said that the SAC will be informed of the intentions of the relevant stakeholders and will monitor the SAC's response.

Compared to previous ASEAN rotating chair countries, Malaysia is more visible and assertive, so they expect something reliable for Myanmar's political problem lasting more than four years, 7 EAO Alliance spokesperson Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt told CNI News.

“Malaysia’s efforts to create a dialogue platform that includes all stakeholders have become more assertive compared to previous rotating delegations. The efforts have become more visible. I hope that from there, we can start to see a platform where we can engage in dialogue." he said.

ASEAN Special Envoy, Malaysian Foreign Minister

Malaysia has met with armed groups and revolutionary forces including the NCA signatories, KNU, KNPP, CNF, and ABSDF on the Myanmar side ahead of the ASEAN meetings in Kuala Lumpur. 

In addition, the Malaysian Prime Minister said in his opening speech that some progress had been made on the Myanmar issue on the first day of the ASEAN Leaders' Summit, which began on May 26. No details were given on what progress had been made.

Myanmar political analyst Dr. Aung Myo told CNI that Malaysia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, will continue to carry out its duties, but it will not be effective, and that listening to some information that will be given by Malaysia will not be convenient based on the SAC chairman's opinion alone.

“Malaysia will continue to engage. It won’t be very effective. The SAC won’t listen either. It can’t be the military leader alone who will listen. There are many political backgrounds that are influencing him. There are parties. There is public opinion. There is the public’s attitude. These will be taken into consideration a lot, so it seems that these will only be effective after the election, when the people's government comes into power." he said.

The Malaysian Foreign Minister has also urged the extension of the ceasefire in Myanmar. 

In addition, at the two-day ASEAN summit, Malaysia said that the SAC would have to adhere to the five point consent the SAC had agreed upon and the summit issued a statement calling for stopping armed conflicts in Myanmar.

CNI News

30 May 2025

The main reason for the illegal trade is the imbalance between supply and demand and due to the policies of the authorities, pointed out businessmen. 

Even the economic system needs to be examined to balance demand and supply. Although it is necessary for administrative purposes, there are obstacles in the economy, so the problem will only be solved if such issues are carefully examined and reconsidered, they said.

The SAC Vice Chairman Vice Senior General Soe Win said on May 26, 2025 that illegal trade is currently increasing in Myanmar, with the highest number of illegal trade arrests in March 2025.

A businessman told CNI News that the increase in illegal trade is due to government policies creating obstacles and imbalances in supply and demand.

While seeing the Muse (105) Mile Trade Gate

"The imbalance between supply and demand is not a new phenomenon. Only by addressing the root cause will we be able to balance supply and demand. Even when supply and demand are out of balance, trade somehow operates. But as long as trade barriers cannot be removed, the problem of illegal trade cannot be resolved." he said.

Myanmar is only ranked 9th among the 10 ASEAN member countries in combating illegal trade, so it is necessary to accelerate efforts to combat illegal trade, said the SAC Vice-Chair.

While a truck was seen on the Asia Road, Yangon-Myawaddy section, Kawkareik Township.

The 2025 Illicit Trade Index, published by the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT), also identifies 12 key sectors where illicit trade is rampant.

The sectors include agricultural products, agricultural chemicals and pesticides, alcohol, counterfeit goods, forest products, illegal fishing, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, precious metals and gems, tobacco products, human trafficking, and wildlife.

CNI News

29 May 2025

Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), has suggested that a one-party system could be used to unify the country, which is suffering widespread internal armed conflicts and many disagreements.

For political stability, there must be a single armed organization, a party that can control that armed organization, and that party must include all ethnic groups and the mainland, Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

He also said that if the right to self-governance and self-determination of ethnic groups is enshrined in the constitution, the armed conflict can end, and that if this is the case, the one-party system will become a priority in Myanmar politics.

"As long as there is armed conflict without political stability, the country will remain like this. So, if we are to find the reason for the armed conflict to achieve political stability and find a solution to that reason, there must be a single armed organization. We need a big party that can control that one armed organization. That party must include all ethnic groups, and the mainland must also be included. Can we negotiate to create such a party? So, if we achieve national unity If we achieve political stability, we can take steps towards economic development. We have already established the self-determination of ethnic groups under the constitution. If that happens, will the armed conflict end? If this is something that should be considered, then a one-party system would be a priority for Myanmar politics," he said.

While 32 political parties were discussing

A one-party system is a system in which a country is governed by a single party, with the party leader (or the party's central authority) holding power over the country. 

The SAC chairman has promised to hold elections in December 2025, and has also said that elections will be held under a multi-party democratic system, suggesting that a one-party system is unlikely.

SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said on March 21, 2025 that multi-party democracy is what the people are demanding, not what they are demanding, and that stability is necessary if democracy is to be achieved.

Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI News that they will have to consider whether they can negotiate to create an all-inclusive unified party and whether the various parties that control the various ethnic armed groups can be included under one party that will lead the entire union, before moving on to a new country.

“Can we unite to end the armed conflict? The 2008 constitution encourages all parties, but we need to review and negotiate. For example, if we unite with the United Wa State Party (UWSP), can we negotiate to form a big party that can unite the whole of Myanmar? Can the armed forces all join together and form an army that protects the Union? How can we cooperate? Will we go to a national conference? Will we go to a major negotiation? "Under one big party that will lead the entire union, can the Wa Party participate, can the Mongla participate, can the Kokang participate, can the Palaung participate, can the AA participate, can the Mon participate? After considering these, we need to move towards a new country," he said.

Myanmar had been governed by a single party since 1974, the Myanmar Socialist Programme Party led by U Ne Win, and experienced a one-party system.
Then, the 1988 uprising broke out, and the MSP was dissolved, U Ne Win also resigned, and the 1974 Constitution was also abolished.

Currently, there is intense fighting between the Myanmar military and armed groups in Myanmar, and armed groups are seizing territory, building power, and establishing governance. So, there are concerns that a multi-party democracy will be replaced by the warlord system.

CNI News

29 May 2025

Ethnic armed groups involved in the ongoing armed conflicts across Myanmar want to get political status like the “Wa” but they are unlikely to get so, military and political analysts told CNI News.

The political status that the Wa have achieved is not because of their strength but because of the Union government's magnanimity, and other armed groups do not have such opportunities, Dr. Aung Myo, a Burmese political analyst, told CNI News.

"The Kokang region is not as bad as the "Wa". The Kokang region was under the authority of the Theinni Sawbwa. In fact, they are people who entered Myanmar later. Kachin was not allowed to secede under the 1947 constitution. Palaung was also under the rule of the Theinni Sawbwa. The AA, the TNLA and all the rest ethnic groups have very close contact with the mainland. That's why they can't do what the "Wa" do. The "Wa" inherited the legacy of the Communist Party of Burma. They have benefited from China's development, and Myanmar successive governments have not paid much attention to them, saying they are "not important. That's why their autonomy is long-lasting. If they are too arrogant because they are too strong, they will be wrong. They have achieved these rights, depending on the magnanimities of the Union Governments. Other groups do not have these rights. Historically, they do not. They cannot be given these rights in the current social and economic context." said Dr. Aung Myo.

The Arakan Army has officially stated that it wants the same rights as the “Wa” people before the political changes of 2021, and in the current Myanmar political landscape, it wants a confederation that is no less than the “Wa.” 

Other ethnic armed groups have not officially stated what political status they want, but they also want a political status similar to the “Wa.”, said military and political observers.

The “Wa” and other ethnic armed groups are geographically different, and the “Wa” is unique because China is right at its back, so there is no need to worry about security, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, an analyst on China-Myanmar affairs, told CNI News.

She said that leaders of some ethnic armed groups, including the Arakan Army, live in the “Wa” region, and that there are also weapons factories in the Wa region.

"It's necessary to know the Wa's unique characteristics. China is located at the back of the Wa. So there is no need to worry about its security. "Wa" is developing with China's Mekong River Basin Development Project. China also wants to show that "Wa" State or Mongla, no matter how poor or difficult it is, can be made prosperous if it is peaceful and stable. AA leader General Tun Myat Naing has said that he wants Rakhine State to become a confederate. The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) didn't even give a state to the Wa but just a district. But the Wa leaders rule their region with their own system. It's true that other ethnic armed groups have always envied the Wa. That's why the revolutions are gaining momentum and starting to build their own regions," she said.

Although designated as a “Wa” self-administered division under the 2008 constitution, the political status of the “Wa” Army (UWSA) is that it has full sovereignty, except for not declaring independence. 

The six townships of Hopan, Mong Mao, Pang Wai, Nar Phan, Matman, and Pang Kham (Pang Sang) in Shan State were divided into two  districts and the region was designated as the “Wa” Self-Administered Division under the 2008 constitution.

CNI News

29 May 2025

Since Myanmar is a union state, it is necessary to ensure that the official language and literature prescribed by the state are mastered nationwide, said SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during a meeting with a delegation from the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA).

The NDAA delegation led by Vice Chairman U San Pei, Vice Chairman U San Lu, and General Secretary U Kyi Myint met with the SAC Chairman for discussion at the Triangle Command in Shan State (East) On May 25, 2025.

“Since Myanmar is a union state, it is necessary to ensure that the official language and literature prescribed by the state are taught nationwide. Therefore, in the education sector, the union system of education must be taught nationwide,” said the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

Section 450 of the 2008 Constitution stipulates that Burmese is the official language.

Since Burmese is the language and literature of the Bamar people, non-Bamar ethnic groups are demanding that their languages and literature be recognized as official languages.

While seeing a school in the Mongla region

Section 22 (a) of the 2008 Constitution stipulates that the state shall assist in the development of the language, literature, art, and culture of ethnic groups. 

The NDAA wanted the SAC to help make regional transportation faster and smoother as well as education and health sectors, said U San Pei, vice chairman of the NDAA, adding that the NDAA would collaborate (with the SAC) in the peace and stability of the state.

" As the NDAA's stance, it is mainly carrying out the Our Three Main National Causes (Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of national solidarity and Perpetuation of sovereignty) which have been laid down and practiced for over 30 years by the State." said U San Pei.

The NDAA split from the Communist Party of Burma and made peace with the Myanmar Tatmadaw on June 30, 1989. 

The Myanmar Tatmadaw designated the Mongla region in Shan State (east) as Special Region-4. In the Special Region-4, the Chinese language and Chinese currency are used more than the Burmese language and the Kyat currency.

However, other ethnic groups also live in Special Region-4, including Shan, Akha, Lahu, “Wa”, Bamar, Kokang, and Chinese.

CNI News

28 May 2025

AFP Party Chairman Dr. Aye Maung explained the political and economic policies of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) that will run the elections in Myanmar so that the public can understand.

The AFP has two political policies: the first focuses on the border areas of Buthidaung and Maungdaw in northern Rakhine State, and the second aims at building a genuine federal democratic state that all ethnic groups desire, Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

“Since the formation of the party, we have had two principles. One is to focus on the northern part of Rakhine State, the border areas of Buthidaung and Maungdaw. If we cannot secure and protect these border areas, the future of Rakhine State will not be sustainable for long. This is stated in our party constitution as the number one objective of establishing the party. Number 2 is the goal of building a truly federal democratic state that all ethnic groups desire. When the country went with a multi-party system, revolutionary armed groups and those who found a solution politically were not able to prove a solution that cannot establish a genuine federal union by holding a political dialogue. That's why the risk of armed conflict is increasing. That is why the idea that armed resistance is the only way to achieve self-determination is currently at its highest level. So, we must prove that finding solutions through political dialogues, and breaking out of the vicious cycle are the right path," he said.

The headquarters of the Arakan Front Party in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, was seen on August 25.(Khun Latt, Frontier Myanmar)

The armed conflict in Myanmar has been ongoing for over 70 years, starting in 1948. Similarly, despite repeated talks to end the armed conflict, no lasting agreements have been reached, and agreements have repeatedly broken down, leading to fighting.

Then, widespread armed conflicts broke out across the country due to political differences on February 1, 2021. Currently, efforts are being made to build a federal and democratically based union, but some ethnic armed groups are even expressing goals such as confederation and independence.

Dr. Aye Maung

“The economy is a market economy, so we have to go with an economy based on agriculture, trade in the natural resources that the country can produce, and economic development can only be achieved with political stability. It is not easy to develop the economy without the development of farmers, who constitute the country’s foundation and who make up more than 75 percent of the population. In addition, the economy cannot develop without attracting investment and industrial development. That is why we should negotiate and implement a comprehensive national economic policy that will ensure political stability and economic development so that people who have been abroad in various ways can return home," Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI News.

The SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said on May 19, 2025 that the goals and objectives in agriculture have not been met, and that oilseed yields are still weak and imports are still required. He also said that although Myanmar has good land and labor resources, there is no real work and the income is low.

CNI News

28 May 2025

The NDAA Vice Chairman U San Pei’s statement that no armed or political organizations have been accepted in the Mongla region of Shan State (East) seems to prioritize stability, U Thein Tun Oo, executive director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies told CNI News. 

A delegation led by vice chairmen of the National Democratic Alliance Army, U San Pei and U San Lu as well as general secretary of the NDAA, U Kyi Myint met and discussed with the SAC chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the Triangle Command on May 25, 2025.

During the meeting, U San Pei said that no armed groups or political organizations have been accepted in their region. The fact that no armed group or political organization had been accepted in the Mongla region means that only that region guaranteed peace, said U Thein Tun Oo to CNI News.

The SAC chairman

"By saying that the NDAA does not accept any armed group or any political organization, it means that the NDAA only guarantees peace in his own territory. Other armed groups have nothing to do with it. That means that it guarantees the peace that it has made. If all other armed groups have that attitude, the country's permanent peace will be a very smooth and easy process. But one armed group is fighting in its own territory. If the other side comes to conduct military operations, they will go into other areas and hide. If they gather, the armed conflict will be prolonged. So, we can consider the idea that the NDAA can provide guarantees in this regard," he said.

The NDAA's stance was to focus on the Our Three Main National Causes (Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of national solidarity and Perpetuation of sovereignty) which have been laid down and practiced for over 30 years by the State for over 30 years, said U San Pei, vice chairman of the NDAA.

Myanmar is a union state and is moving towards a union system based on a truly disciplined multi-party democracy and federalism. Therefore, it is necessary for all ethnic brothers and sisters living in the country to work together for the interests of the country, said the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The NDAA often accepted refugees who fled their homes due to fighting in Shan State as a humanitarian gesture, said Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar-China affairs analyst.

While the SAC chairman was meeting with the NDAA

" Although the NDAA says they haven't accepted any armed group, they have said that they can accept those who flee battles on humanitarian grounds. The NDAA accepted injured people or those who were in bad health from other armed groups. There is an understanding among them. For example, during the MNDAA 1027 fighting, they accepted all the people who fled, all the refugees. The NDAA just sent them to Tangyang and Tachileik by car. They did whatever they could to help the refugees who returned to the mainland," she said.

The NDAA split from the Burma Communist Party and made peace with the Myanmar Tatmadaw on June 30, 1989, and the Myanmar Tatmadaw designated the Mongla region in Shan State (East) as Special Region (4).

AA, KIA, MNDAA and TNLA, that are members of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) in which the NDAA is included as a member, are in heavy fighting with the Myanmar Tatmadaw and they have accepted NUG, PDFs and NUCC which have been declared terrorist groups by the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

Therefore, the NDAA reaffirms that even though some FPNCC members have accepted armed groups and political organizations that the Myanmar Tatmadaw does not approve of, the NDAA has not accepted them, military and political observers said.

CNI News

28 May 2025

Due to the ongoing wars, military conscription law, and earthquakes in Myanmar, in the construction industry, skilled workers and ordinary workers have been scarce as well as higher daily wages, construction entrepreneurs told CNI News. 

The daily wage of a laborer used to be around 10,000 kyats, but now it is much higher.

The increase in labor charge rates is likely due to the imbalance between the existing labor force and demand, U Myo Myint, general secretary of the Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Federation, told CNI News.

"Workers are very scarce. Because after the earthquake, a lot of workers are needed to clear the debris. The number of workers has been decreasing since then. Some people have gone abroad, so at the time of the earthquake, the number of workers was already decreasing. Labor costs have been increasing dramatically. These are among the reasons why construction work has stopped. The shortage of experts, engineers, and workers in the construction industry is an important aspect. Previously, the daily wage of a laborer was around 10,000 kyats, but now it is around 25,000 kyats. In some places, they are paid 40,000 to 50,000 kyats. Because demand and supply are not equal. I think it could be different in the next 4, 5, 6 months," he said.

While seeing construction workers

Currently, construction activity is low due to difficulties in purchasing construction materials and other issues following the earthquake, according to business owners. 

The resumption of construction activities depends on the country's economy, and construction entrepreneurs are currently in discussions, U Maung Maung, chairman of Shwe Gabar Maung Maung Construction, told CNI News.

“Now, in Naypyidaw, Mandalay, and Sagaing, workers are asking for 40,000 kyats a day, 50,000 kyats a day, and so on. I heard that some contractors are hiring expensive workers as needed. We construction entrepreneurs are consulting on how to do it. The land price is too high, the labor cost is too high, and there are too many regulations. Whether these businesses can be started again will depend on the country's economy. If the economy is bad, there is little chance that they will be able to do so at the moment. We can't do it either because the amount of money we have and the amount of money we need to invest are too far apart," he said.

The SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said that buildings must be built to withstand at least a Richter scale of 8 when they are constructed, while meeting with the public during his inspection visit to the earthquake-stricken Inle Lake region on April 11, 2025.

The government has set a price for cement for earthquake-affected buildings at 17,000 kyats per bag, but it is difficult to buy it on the ground, and the price is reportedly as high as 40,000 kyats.