Safeguarding Vital National Interests: A Shared Duty of People and Government

 

Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and State Security and Peace Commission Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing hosted a dinner in honour of the Myanmar delegation, which defended the case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), at the Banquet Hall of the Office of the National Defence and Security Council yesterday evening.

In his honorary speech, the Senior General said that just as the people across the entire country warmly welcomed, supported, and honoured the Myanmar delegation that went to appear and present oral arguments on behalf of Myanmar at the International Court of Justice during the final round of oral hearings in the case filed by The Gambia against Myanmar alleging genocide, led by Union Minister for the Ministry 2 of the President’s Office U Ko Ko Hlaing and Union Minister for Legal Affairs and Union Attorney-General Dr Thida Oo, the State also, on behalf of the nation, was honouring and welcoming the delegation through the hosting of this honorary dinner.

The Senior General noted that the case filed by The Gambia against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice in 2019 had lasted for more than six years, and that the merits stage of the proceedings was completed in January 2026. He explained that after his government assumed state responsibilities in February 2021 in accordance with the Constitution, it had continued to handle the case in line with its responsibilities under public international law, whereby a succeeding government generally inherits the actions and commitments undertaken by the previous government under the principle of state succession.

After the International Court of Justice began contacting them around mid-2021 regarding the continuation of the case, the government held thorough discussions among responsible officials on whether it should assume and continue handling the matter. Taking into account the prevailing international and domestic political circumstances at the time, a decision was made to continue taking responsibility for the case, and two representatives were selected and appointed to serve as the Agent and Alternate Agent in charge of the proceedings.

Domestically, it was also a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading severely and widespread, intense unrest of an anarchic nature was occurring. In such circumstances, the government carefully assessed the potential outcomes, weighing both the benefits and risks, before deciding to assume and continue handling the case. The main reason for this decision was that, at the International Court of Justice, the proceedings could continue unilaterally even if Myanmar chose not to participate. In such a unilateral process, the Court would consider only one-sided information, which could lead to undesirable consequences. This, in turn, could leave Myanmar with an indelible stain on its national dignity throughout history and could give rise to further unwanted repercussions. Therefore, given the conditions at that time, that course of action was chosen as the best possible solution.

As efforts were carried out systematically and in a coordinated, unified manner, sufficient time was available according to the originally planned strategy, and all preparations for the case were carried out thoroughly and firmly.

The Senior General stated that, during the final stage of the case – the oral hearings held at the International Court of Justice from 12 to 29 January – Myanmar’s delegation was able to defend and present its case strongly and effectively due to thorough prior preparation. For this reason, he expressed that the State commends and honours the Myanmar delegation, led by the two Agents.

In truth, the case Myanmar faced at the International Court of Justice was not an accusation against any individual or group of people, but rather a case brought against the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Therefore, as the entire nation, including the country, its people, and the government, was being accused in the proceedings, the case directly concerned the dignity of the State and of all its citizens, making it an issue of special significance for the country.

He stated that, in this case, Myanmar’s delegation was able to defend and present its position firmly and comprehensively, both legally and factually. For this reason, on behalf of the State, he wished to express special gratitude to all relevant ministries and departments that collectively supported and assisted the Myanmar delegation.

Regarding this case in which Myanmar was unjustly accused, the people of Myanmar across the entire country stood united hand in hand with the State government, fully supporting and defending the country. It can be said that this demonstrated the moral strength of national unity.

Another significant benefit was that Myanmar was able to present, on the international stage, clear and concrete evidence of its position regarding a politically fabricated label, which had long been a source of the issues in northern Rakhine State.

From a legal perspective, the case also provided valuable international experience and knowledge. This experience would serve as an important benefit, as it gave the country insight into how best to prepare and respond should similar legally-based attacks arise in the future.

He emphasized that, as a small nation, regardless of the challenges faced in the current era of power politics and international affairs, the people and the government must continue to stand united and cooperate, just as they did in this case, to safeguard the vital national interests of the country such as non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty as the national responsibility for all.

The Union minister stated that, as Myanmar’s delegation carried out all preparatory work systematically, including collecting the necessary information, ensuring comprehensive and accurate historical and factual data, forming a team of senior domestic legal scholars and an advisory legal committee to obtain legal guidance, and organizing the international team of lawyers and a historical expert to participate in the case. All of these efforts were conducted in a coordinated and unified manner. He noted that, with the guidance and support of the Head of State, the delegation was able to perform its duties in the best possible way. He also expressed special gratitude for the honour of welcoming and recognizing the members of the delegation at this gala dinner.

Afterwards, the Senior General and attendee dignitaries had dinner.

Also, present at the dinner were Commission Vice-Chairman Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Commission Member Prime Minister U Nyo Saw, Executive Chief U Aung Lin Dwe, Commission Secretary General Ye Win Oo, commission members, Union ministers, Union-level dignitaries, chief ministers of regions and states, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, and officials from the Myanmar delegation which defended the case at the ICJ.

MNA/TTA

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