Tatmadaw ever ready to serve the nation

Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Central Committee Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered an address at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) at the Myanmar International Convention Centre I (MICC I) in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.

Vice-Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Commission member, Union Minister and Chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, ethnic leaders Saw Mutu Sae Po, U Zo Zam and Sai Tun Kyi, together with ethnic people, cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the 10th Anniversary celebration of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).

The Senior General unveiled the signboard to mark the 10th Anniversary celebration of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).

The Senior General and attendees themselves wrote their attitudes for the peace process and hung them at the peace tree.

The Senior General and distinguished guests interestingly viewed the booths to mark the 10th Anniversary of NCA at the lobby of MICC I.

The second session of the ceremony was held at the Jade Hall of MICC I. The 10th anniversary ceremony of NCA was inaugurated with an LED animation, and all attendees saluted the State flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

 

Artiste staff of the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture presented a song “Toward a peaceful, new, modern State” in honour of the NCA’s 10th anniversary. Next, a video clip with the title “The future of the State will be shaped through a durable peace initiated by NCA”, which featured the emergence of NCA, and peace and development of the nation, was screened.

Acting President and SSPC Chairman of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Central Committee, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, delivered an address at the ceremony to mark the 10th Anniversary of NCA. (The speech delivered by the Senior General is reported on page 4 separately.)

Furthermore, the Senior General delivered a speech. He said: It has been over 77 years since Myanmar gained independence, and the country will mark its 80th anniversary in 2028. However, since the time of independence until now, the people of Myanmar have not been able to fully enjoy the essence of true independence. From the beginning of independence, various internal and external factors have caused the ethnic people of the country to face many forms of hardship and suffering. When compared with neighbouring countries and other stable and developing nations, Myanmar has lagged behind. Even when compared with countries of similar population size, land area, and economic conditions, Myanmar remains behind. This backwardness is the result of both domestic and international factors. Most seriously, the population and household census data stated that the people of Myanmar are still lacking in knowledge, technical skills, and educational standards. These facts clearly show that there is a great lesson to be learned — that efforts must be made to enhance the education standard of the citizens.

Since gaining independence, Myanmar has experienced various eras and different systems of governance. As mentioned in the previous peace conference, the country has seen both periods of prosperity and decline. During the 1988 pro-democracy movement, the people called for a multiparty democratic system. In accordance with the will of the people, Tatmadaw took measures to enable the nation to move toward the path of multiparty democracy in 2011, which the people had long aspired to. At the same time, steps were also taken to establish a Union based on a more complete form of democracy and a federal system. The Tatmadaw took the lead in all these measures.

As the Constitution was drafted under the circumstances that existed at that time, I understand that there is now a need for certain amendments. Therefore, after our government assumed state responsibilities in 2021, I personally, as well as through my representatives, held multiple meetings and discussions with ethnic armed organizations, political parties, and relevant individuals. During those discussions, some agreements were reached regarding constitutional amendments. My aspiration is for the country to be peaceful and prosperous, and it is necessary to review the factors that have caused us to fall behind. Accordingly, we are carrying out what is feasible, and I urge ethnic groups and relevant stakeholders to also focus only on what is possible and practical. Matters that cannot be done should not be pursued. Everyone should work together with the right objectives and a genuine sense of purpose.

Regarding ethnic affairs as well, it is best for proposals to be addressed within the political platform of the Hluttaw. Therefore, when considering and implementing matters related to this issue, I worked toward adopting a proportional representation system. As a result, preparations have been made to change the format of the upcoming election accordingly. This process has been carried out with the agreement of all political parties. The election is scheduled to be held in December. At present, a total of 57 political parties have registered to participate; six parties will contest nationwide, while 51 parties will compete at the level of regions and states. More than 5,000 candidates have registered to run in the election. Therefore, it can be said that the upcoming election will be a strong and competitive one. Based on the experiences from the previous three elections, irregularities and errors occurred due to the use of ballots and advance voting. Therefore, arrangements have been made to enable voting through Myanmar Electronic Voting Machines (MEVMs), which will prevent electoral fraud. With this system in place, I believe the election will be free and fair. For the first phase, the election will be held in 102 townships, followed by 100 townships in the second phase, and the remaining townships will be covered in the third phase. Due to various reasons, it will not be possible to hold elections in 100 per cent of some constituencies. Even in the past three elections, nationwide elections could not be held completely. For the remaining townships where elections cannot be conducted for the time being, the future government is planning to continue holding by-elections during the interim period.

Myanmar needs to firmly stand on the path of democracy chosen by the people, and Tatmadaw is steadfastly carrying out efforts in this regard. In building the nation, it is essential to consider the country’s historical background and its geopolitical significance. Myanmar is located between two major powers, China and India, which have different political systems. Therefore, our country must act with a balanced and correct stance. Myanmar’s foreign policy is based on a non-aligned approach and on maintaining friendly relations with all nations. With this in mind, we must carefully and thoughtfully proceed with building a democratic and federal Union. In doing so, we must focus particularly on improving the nation’s weaknesses in knowledge, technical skills, and educational standards by prioritizing the development of education. Therefore, as a first step, it is essential to ensure that education can be provided up to the KG+9 level. In the Kyaukme region, which was recently brought back under control, arrangements have been made to enable students to resume their studies as quickly as possible. Efforts must be made to prevent children from losing educational opportunities and to avoid setbacks in their learning. This must be carried out with mutual understanding and compassion among parents and among children themselves. Accordingly, efforts are being made to ensure that no child in the entire country falls behind in education. Likewise, plans are underway to promptly rebuild, repair, and reopen universities, colleges, and basic education schools that were temporarily closed or damaged due to violent attacks and destruction. Preparations are also being made to reopen one university in the near future. We must not allow our country to fall behind in education.

In order to achieve these goals, efforts are being made to ensure a disciplined and systematic election, through which a new government can be formed and the country can move forward correctly along the path of democracy. I would like to urge parents, local leaders, and respected elders in every community to do their utmost to help preserve stability and support these efforts.

It is the will of the people that we work to establish a genuine, disciplined, and stable democratic system, and to build a Union based on democracy and a federal system. However, our efforts toward peace have been delayed. When we assumed state responsibilities, there were those who said that dialogue could not take place because Tatmadaw was leading the government. Tatmadaw itself signed the NCA, and I will never break the promises I have made. If we had been able to hold discussions earlier, implementation could have been achieved sooner. Nevertheless, during the period we have had, we have managed to reach certain agreements on constitutional amendments. Therefore, I urge all relevant stakeholders to act with genuine consideration for the interests of the Union, the ethnic national people, and the nation as a whole. I call on everyone to work together to prevent the country from falling into hardship and to contribute to national prosperity. I also wish to affirm that we are always ready to do whatever is necessary for the good of the country.

Kayin ethnic leader Soe Mutu Sae Po who signed the NCA; Mr Deng Xijun, the Special Envoy for Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China who was representative of the international witnesses; Indian Ambassador Shri Abhay Thakur, on behalf of the Indian witness and the Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India; former Thai Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Plsanu Suvanajata who was temporary General Secretary of Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council (APRC), and U Aung Min who signed the NCA spoke words of honour.

The Senior General presented commemorative gifts to special guests from China, India and ASEAN region, Kayin ethnic leader Saw Mutu Sae Po and NCA signatory U Aung Min.

The Senior General had documentary photos together with the attendees to the ceremony.

Artistes and staff from MRTV and ethnic cultural representatives performed songs and dances.

The Senior General presented the flower basket and K100 million to dance troupes from MRTV and the Fine Arts Department and ethnic dance troupes and posed for documentary photos with them.

Also, present at the ceremony were Commission member Prime Minister U Nyo Saw, Commission member and Executive Chief U Aung Lin Dwe, Commission Secretary and Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo, commission members, Union-level dignitaries, Union ministers, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, chief ministers from regions and states, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, deputy ministers and officials, advisers to the Acting President, chairs and representatives from political parties, leaders and representatives from EAOs, internal and international witnesses of signing the NCA, representatives and officials from UPCC, NSPNC, UPWC, UPDJC and JMC, special representatives from neighbouring countries, foreign diplomats, representatives of national races, representatives from ethnic armed organizations, political parties and international organizations.

After the ceremony, the Senior General hosted a lunch to the attendees who attended the 10th Anniversary of NCA.

MNA/TTA

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