The prime minister of Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) has warned resistance groups not to stray into criminal behavior as the nationwide struggle to oust the junta gains momentum.
The NUG was formed by elected lawmakers and their ethnic allies to rival the military junta following the February 2021 coup. In May 2021, it inaugurated the People’s Defense Force (PDF) as the precursor of a Federal Union Army.
Prime Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann told the NUG’s cabinet meeting on Tuesday that some armed resistance groups had forgotten their revolutionary roots and were using their weapons to bully civilians.
“I have also heard that people are worried for their lives because of the actions of these groups,” he said, reminding responsible ministries to apply the chain of command and other rules strictly.
He added that it was vital to solve the problem of rogue resistance members quickly with strong policies.
“Armed resistance forces have taken the responsibility of keeping the people safe. If those who are supposed to protect the people go astray, the revolution will also suffer. We have to be very careful, because public support and encouragement may be lost little by little if there are many of these unfortunate incidents.”
His warning comes as resistance groups under the NUG’s command in Sagaing and Magwe regions face criticism for abusing human rights.
Currently, there are more than 300 PDF units and over 250 township-based groups across the country, according to the NUG’s Defense Ministry.
Furthermore, there are around 400 guerrilla groups known as the local defense force (LDF), most of whom are in contact with the NUG. As well as the LDFs and PDFs, there are also people’s defense teams (PDTs, or Pa Ka Pha) under the NUG’s Defense Ministry.
“The speed of the revolution will increase from all sides as we approach the end of 2023, so let’s not waver in the direction we are taking. I think we all understand that this is the time to move cautiously in order to achieve a common goal,” the prime minister said.
NUG Acting President Duwa Lashi La told cabinet members at Tuesday’s meeting that the lifeline of the government is public support, and reminded them to maintain contact with the people while carrying out their responsibilities.
“It is vital to pay constant attention to the fact that the revolution is not separate from the people,” he said, adding that connection and unity with the public was a core priority of the NUG.
