This photo taken on May 15, 2024 shows Luiz (L), secretary of the international and alliance relations committee of the Karenni National Progessive Party (KNPP), Saw Nimrod (2nd L), secretary of the foreign affairs department of the KNU, Zaw Wai Soe (2nd R) of Myanmar’s ‘National Unity Government’ (NUG), and Chin National Front (CNF) general secretary Salai Thla Hei (R) posing at a press conference during a visit to Tokyo. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP) / JAPAN OUT
Mizzima Editorial
Last week a member of Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) and high-ranking leaders of three ethnic armed organizations held a news conference in Tokyo in a rare joint move on foreign soil intended to emphasize their unity against the military junta, according to media reports.
Nikkei Asia magazine reports the participants of the press meeting on 15 May included Zaw Wai Soe, the minister of education and health in the National Unity Government (NUG); Salai Thla Hei, general secretary of the Chin National Front; Saw Nimrod, secretary of the foreign affairs department of the Karen National Union (KNU); and Luiz, secretary of the international and alliance relations committee of the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP).
The week-long visit to Japan that began on 10 May enabled the delegates to talk to members of the Japanese government, members of parliament, and NGO representatives. The visit was supported by an NGO.
Japan and its government administrations have long had cordial relationships with the Myanmar regimes and NGOs – at times tip-toing in support of the various military regimes, the earlier “democratic” administration under Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, and NGOs.
This visit by the Myanmar resistance delegates to Japan was important, even if it was low-key and did not receive a lot of media coverage. In the press conference, the group requested the Japanese government to support international efforts to prevent the military regime from importing aviation fuel, to convince India not to transfer weapons to the regime, and to promote humanitarian aid via alternative channels other than through the regime.
In addition, they conveyed an important message for governments and international bodies that may still be labouring under the delusion that the Myanmar military is still an important player to deal with.
At the press conference, the NUG’s Zaw Wai Soe reiterated the demand that the Myanmar military, which ousted the elected civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, must agree not to be involved in national politics in future. What this means is the ditching of the 2008 military-written constitution that assures the military’s political power by stipulating that a quarter of the members of both chambers be appointed by the military’s commander in chief.
This is crucially important to take in. Firstly, the combined forces of the NUG, Peoples Defence Forces (PDFs) and Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs) have surprised international players by their success and tenacity in striking back against the brutal military post-coup. The Spring Revolution has been living up to its name.
Secondly, there is a recognition that “enough is enough” – that the Myanmar military have completely dirtied their copybook with their bitter brutality against the people of the country, the people they are supposed to protect. There is no going back. The Myanmar military have sullied the name of their hero founder Aung San through their horrific conduct.
Moving forward, international players seeking to engage and help solve the Myanmar civil war will need to recognize that the future lies with a plethora of players who have stepped up to the plate in the face of military brutality. Dealing with these “alternative” governing players will not be easy. But diplomats and humanitarian players need to recognize the conflict for what it is – a revolution.
