By Ra Wai / MPA
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has announced that it will not cooperate with the National Unity Government (NUG) in military and political affairs.
On September 4, MNDAA issued a statement, stating it will not engage in military and political cooperation with NUG, territorial expansion, or launch offensives on Mandalay and Taunggyi, remaining to uphold the right to self-defense. The statement issued on September 4 was shared on MNDAA’s Facebook Page on the night of September 18.
“This announcement by the MNDAA emerged aligned with the will of China, under intense pressure. It essentially signals a temporary pause in fighting. However, it doesn’t mean they will give up the territories under its control. The fighting could resume at any moment as they started a counter-attack if the military attacks them again,” a political activist based in Monywa told MPA.
The statement also highlighted the political red line of MNDAA which means that it will not ally with or engage with foreign entities hostile to either China or Myanmar.
MNDAA assured its commitment to genuine autonomy, clarifying that it has no intentions of seceding from the country, seizing state power, or establishing a new nation following independence.
Some Facebook users disapproved of the statement, with one user, Thiha Siko, remarking, “We’ve come this far because of a revolution supported by the people. If the people had not backed it, MNDAA wouldn’t have reached this point. History will point fingers at the political opportunism behind this. I feel deeply sorry for the comrades who sacrificed their lives out of genuine love for the country.”
MNDAA also called for China’s intervention to mediate the escalating situation in Myanmar and promised that it would seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts through political dialogue and negotiations with China’s involvement.
“This statement contradicts the earlier joint declaration by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which pledged to work together to uproot the military dictatorship. Now, MNDAA seems to be distancing itself from that goal, which will damage its credibility,” said a Monywa-based political activist.
On October 27, 2023, the Three Brotherhood Alliance declared their collaboration in ending military rule, a goal strongly supported by the whole Myanmar populace.
Momentarily, the military junta has continued aerial bombardments on towns under the control of TNLA and MNDAA, targeting civilians in these areas.
