By Blackpanda / MPA
The State Administration Council (SAC)’s statement to United Nations organizations that Myanmar’s political situation is improving after inviting armed People Defense Force (PDF) to abandon their armed struggle and participate in elections and party politics lacks justification, according to political activists.
On 8 October , 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs U Than Swe made these remarks concerning Myanmar’s political progress during a meeting in Naypyidaw with the United Nations Interim Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and representatives from UN agencies.
“This statement seems like an attempt to show the international community that the military leaders are working towards gaining recognition. Another aspect is that it is a morale-boosting tactic to encourage military-aligned groups and supporters, suggesting that the country is moving towards a political solution,” said U Tint Lwin, a member of the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH).
Additionally, Insein Aung Soe said that SAC’s call for ethnic armed organizations and PDF to abandon their armed struggle and resolve political issues through party politics and elections would only be accepted by opportunists.
“It is meaningless talk. Only opportunists and the insane would accept such a proposition. Genuine revolutionaries will never accept it, and SAC’s elections will not succeed either,” Insein Aung Soe added.
The current population census being conducted by SAC is intended to gain international recognition but lacks proper procedures, and therefore, will not achieve any recognition, U Tint Lwin commented.
“The upcoming election will be conducted in the same flawed manner as the census. They are collecting the census household by household and district by district. They will hold the election similarly, pretending to carry out the process properly. The aim is to show that they held an election and formed a legitimate government. They are seeking international recognition, but how can this possibly work?” U Tint Lwin remarked.
Furthermore, the comments made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe of SAC do not align with reality, and revolutionary forces will not support them, according to Ma Phu Nge, a supporter of the PDFs.
“It is nonsense, and only the ignorant would believe it. What progress can there be? It is just a pretense,” she said.
A revolutionary fighter also stated that the actions taken by SAC to consolidate its power have reached a level beyond obsession with maintaining authority.
At present, SAC is conducting the population census, which serves as a foundation for the upcoming election, from 1 to 15 October . However, in conflict zones and areas affected by flooding, the census cannot be conducted, raising concerns about its accuracy.
In its efforts to gain international recognition, the military council has been receiving support from China, and recent ASEAN meetings have also seen the military council leading discussions, according to reports from independent news agencies.
