Dialogue or doublespeak?
In his message to mark the 50th anniversary of Akha National Day on Saturday, beleaguered junta boss Min Aung Hlaing lamented that ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) are ignoring his calls for peace talks “to resolve political disputes via political means.”
The next day, December 29, saw the Arakan Army (AA) capture Gwa in Rakhine, the 14th township it has seized in the westernmost state in just 13 months since launching an offensive in November 2023.
The AA now controls all but three of the 17 townships in Rakhine State and is threatening neighboring Ayeyarwady Region.
Ironically, the Myanmar military once excluded the AA and its allies in the Brotherhood Alliance – the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and Ta’ang National Liberation Army – from peace talks under the now-ousted National League for Democracy government because they were then much smaller in size than long-established EAOs.
Min Aung Hlaing reiterated his invitation for negotiations in his Karen New Year’s Day message on Monday, saying he was keeping the door open for dialogue.
Despite his call for peace talks, his regime conducted airstrikes in at least five regions and states on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, killing at least 20 people. The strikes were part of an ongoing air campaign that has targeted civilians, hospitals and schools, killing 540 people, including 109 children, in the first 10 months of last year, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
In his New Year message on Wednesday, the junta boss – renowned for saying one thing and doing another – accused ethnic leaders of attempting to break up the Union.
Yangon unplugged for longer
Blackouts in Myanmar have doubled in duration less than two weeks after the military regime formed the Electricity and Energy Development Commission to “accelerate energy sector development.”
In the commercial capital Yangon, power was previously rationed to four hours on and four hours off during the day, with an uninterrupted supply of electricity at night.
The new commission seems to have redoubled efforts not to increase the power supply but to reduce it. Power is now also rationed at night and outages have become more frequent, with residential areas of Yangon limited to around 10 hours of electricity per day.
Mounting public anger over disruption to daily life caused by worsening power cuts turned to disbelief on Wednesday when Min Aung Hlaing, in a speech marking the 150th anniversary of Dala Shipyard in Yangon, called for research on electric-powered ships.
The junta boss has previously pushed plans for electric buses and trains, both of which have failed to materialize. Meanwhile, power cuts are worsening by the month.
Beijing’s favorite
As the military regime tries desperately to push forward China-Myanmar Economic Corridor projects, a prominent Chinese media outlet has named Myanmar’s ambassador to China, Tin Maung Swe, as an outstanding figure of 2024.
The UN-recognized Home and Abroad News Press confers the award on foreign ambassadors who make remarkable contributions to friendly ties between China and their respective countries. Tin Maung Swe was honored for strengthening bilateral ties and advancing the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, according to the junta’s foreign ministry.
He joined ambassadors from Peru, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Sri Lanka and Nigeria in receiving the News Person of the Year (2024) on December 30 in Beijing.
Tin Maung Swe was appointed as ambassador to China in April 2023, serving concurrently as the junta’s envoy to North Korea.
China is the largest among the junta’s handful of international allies, providing it with crucial military, economic and diplomatic support to offset sanctions imposed by western democracies.
In November, junta boss Min Aung Hlaing visited Kunming, where he vowed to launch construction of the Muse-Mandalay-Kyaukphyu railroad wherever possible, emphasizing that his regime attached great importance to the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. Resistance groups currently control large swaths of territory earmarked for the railroad project.
However, China and the regime are planning to establish a joint security company to allow Beijing to deploy troops to protect its projects in northern, eastern and western Myanmar.
Election census leaves out over half country
The armed revolt against the junta meant it could fully count only 145 of 330 townships in its pre-election census; it estimates a total population of 51.3 million. Read more
New Year airstrikes kill 20, hit homes, clinic and temple
Regime airstrikes in five states and regions on New Year’s Eve and Jan. 1 left at least 20 people dead and destroyed homes and a clinic, while damaging a Hindu temple. Read more
