Myanmar junta criticizes its rivals while thanking nations

• Senior General criticised nations for meddling in Myanmar’s internal affairs.
• Country was cooperating closely with its neighbours.
• Street protests are now uncommon following bloody crackdowns.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing criticised nations for meddling in Myanmar’s internal affairs but asserted that the country was cooperating closely with its neighbours, including China, India, and Thailand.

On Wednesday, the leader of Myanmar’s junta attacked nations for meddling in his country’s internal affairs while praising others for “positively” cooperating. He also mentioned how his government was closely cooperating with neighbours like China, India, and Thailand.

Since the military overthrew a democratically elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung Sang Suu Kyi almost two years ago, the Southeast Asian nation has been subject to Western-driven sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

In a speech to commemorate Myanmar’s 75th anniversary of independence, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said, “I want to say thank you to some international and regional countries, organisations, and individuals who positively cooperated with us… in the middle of all the pressure, criticisms, and attacks.”

We collaborate extensively with nearby nations including China, India, Thailand, Laos, and Bangladesh. In a speech broadcast on television from a national day parade in the capital, Naypyitaw, Min Aung Hlaing promised to cooperate with others to promote border stability and development.

Since the army overthrew Suu Kyi’s administration on February 1, 2021, and detained her and other officials while using ruthless force to suppress pro-democracy demonstrations and opposition, hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes.

Street demonstrations are now uncommon following bloody crackdowns, but the military engages in almost daily clashes with ethnic minorities, and fear has spread throughout large portions of the nation as members of a so-called People’s Defense Force have risen to arms in an effort to restore democracy.

Suu Kyi was sentenced to seven more years in prison late last year after being found guilty on five counts of corruption. This verdict brought to an end a protracted legal process that was widely regarded as a sham and intended only to contain the largest danger to the junta’s power.

Suu Kyi is being kept in solitary confinement in a Naypyitaw jail, although the military maintains that she has been given a fair trial by an impartial tribunal.

On the anniversary of Myanmar’s declaration of independence from British domination, the authorities customarily free a small number of inmates. It was not immediately obvious, though, if the military would this time release any political prisoners.

Sanctions have been placed on Myanmar’s military and those thought to have assisted the junta in gaining power by the United States, the European Union, as well as nations like Britain and Canada.

The U.N. Security Council this month voted its first resolution on Myanmar in 74 years, calling for a halt to the violence and the release of all political prisoners as another reprimand.

Min Aung Hlaing criticised “disruptions from countries and organisations who wish to intervene in Myanmar’s domestic affairs,” in reference to external pressure.

The junta has continued to receive some support from outside. China and Russia continue to argue against taking decisive action, causing the U.N. Security Council to remain divided over how to handle the Myanmar problem. Along with India, they both did not participate in the resolution’s vote from last month.

Last month, Thailand also hosted regional talks to tackle the problem, including rare overseas appearances by junta ministers despite the absence of several important ASEAN members who have been loud in their criticism of the junta.

Myanmar’s generals have been excluded from ASEAN’s high-profile conferences because they have broken their agreements to begin negotiations with opponents associated with Suu Kyi’s overthrown administration. ASEAN is leading diplomatic efforts for peace.

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