EURO-BURMA OFFICE ADDB Inc – Canada, Euro-Burma Office – Belgium, EBO Foundation – Chiang Mai
ALL NEWS
China-backed election raises fears of ‘negative peace’ in Myanmar
Source: Voice of America
Analysts say an election without real dialogue will yield a fragile ceasefire.
By Nyein Chan Aye
Myanmar enacts cybersecurity law that aims to restrict use of VPNs
Source: Radio Free Asia
The law also states that Myanmar citizens abroad are liable to punishment.
By RFA Burmese
AA Says Halt to Rakhine Fighting Is Up to Myanmar Junta
Source: Irrawaddy
Whether the Arakan Army (AA) will halt a devastating offensive it is blazing through Rakhine State depends on the military regime, AA spokesman Khaing Thukha has told The Irrawaddy.
By Irrawaddy
Mon State federal council lauds Arakan army’s success, urges united efforts against military junta
Source: Mizzima
Speaking to Mizzima regarding a formal message sent to the AA on 25 December, MSFC spokesperson Nai Mon Sai highlighted the AA’s significant role in the liberation struggle.
By Mizzima
Dhaka discusses with UN modalities for int’l conference on Rohingya crisis
Source: United News of Bangladesh
Bangladesh has discussed the modalities and objectives of the upcoming International Conference on the Rohingya Crisis, to be convened by the UN in 2025 as per a UN General Assembly consensus resolution adopted this year.
United News of Bangladesh
Initial results of imprecise census in Myanmar show a slight population drop
Source: Associated Press
The acknowledgment of problems in carrying out the census amounted to an admission by the military government that it fails to hold control over more than half of the country’s territory
Associated Press
Muslims flee as fighting verges on Arakan State capital
Source: Development Media Group
Some Muslims with identity cards are flying to mainland Myanmar, while those without ID cards are fleeing to AA-controlled territory, also known as “liberated” areas, by any means necessary.
Development Media Group
Myanmar Junta Troops Retreat from Mellyu Base; Karenni Army Seizes Large Cache of Weapons, Vehicles, and Motorbikes
Source: Kantarawaddy Times
In Karenni State’s Shadaw Township (Thai-Karenni border), troops of the Myanmar military’s Battalion 134 retreated from the Mellyu base on December 28.
Kantarawaddy Times
Karen National Union chairman calls for unity to achieve the goals of Karen nationalism
Source: Mizzima
Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, Chairman of the Karen National Union (KNU), urged all Karen revolutionary groups and organizations to unite under a single political and national leadership during his Karen National New Year address on 30 December.
Mizzima
MYANMAR NEW YEAR PERSPECTIVE: Ending civil war unlikely in 2025
Source: Shan Herald Agency for News
While the junta is losing ground politically and militarily, with a ratio of control areas of 21% to 42% to the anti-junta forces as a whole, it still has sizable troops and enough arsenal, including its airforce to go on with the destruction the towns and cities, captured by the ethnic-democratic forces
Sai WANSAI
Task force on Myanmar’s first meeting scheduled
Source: Thai PBS World
The inaugural meeting of the special task force to address the situation arising from Myanmar’s conflict has been scheduled for January 13, following months of delay, an informed government source said.
Thai PBS World
Myanmar: The Fall of Rakhine; Imperatives for India
Source: Vivekananda International Foundation
Last year the AA had said that it would not disturb the construction of the road section of the KMTTP. It had assured India that it was not against the project, but only wanted to protect the interests of the local people.
Lt Gen PC Nair, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, PhD, (Retd)
After 2024 setbacks, junta forces now control less than half of Myanmar
Source: Radio Free Asia
Local residents and insurgent forces said territory under junta control has declined in central Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay regions, where fierce fighting between the military and anti-junta forces has been constant since coup.
Kyaw Lwin Oo for RFA Burmese
The Czech Republic’s shifting support for Myanmar’s democracy
Source: East Asia Forum
The Czech Republic, long a stalwart supporter of Myanmar’s democracy movement, shows signs of shifting its position as junta representatives secure meetings with high-ranking officials.
Federica Cidale; Kristina Kironska
Evaluating European Union actions in post-coup Myanmar – Part 2
Source: Democratic Voice of Burm
Despite the E.U.’s commitment to supporting democracy and human rights in Myanmar, its approach to the military coup has faced several criticisms.
Majid Lenz & Nyein Chan May
Always ready to resolve conflicts via political means, AA says
Source: Development Media Group
The Arakkha Army (AA) said in a statement on December 29 that it is always ready to resolve conflict through political rather than military means, on the same day that the ethnic armed group claimed to have won control of its 14th township in Arakan State, out of 17 total in the state.
Development Media Group
Thai banks face new mandates to curb financing of juntas
Source: The Nation
Bank of Thailand and AMLO have ordered banks to enforce stricter regulations to prevent Myanmar’s junta from using Thai financial services to procure arms
The Nation
Myanmar’s Arakan Army takes a major town, says ready for talks
Source: Radio Free Asia
Myanmar’s Arakan Army insurgents captured the west coast town of Gwa from the military, a major step toward their goal of taking the whole of Rakhine state, and then said they were ready for talks with the junta.
RFA Burmeses
Bangladesh, the Rohingya and the new reality in Rakhine
Source: Frontier Myanmar
Bangladesh’s interim government has lobbied successfully for an international conference on the Rohingya. But for repatriation to have any chance of moving forward, organisers need to consider the rise of the Arakan Army.
Laetitia van den Assum, former Dutch ambassador
Myanmar approves 60 investment projects for 2024
Source: Xinhua
Myanmar’s Yangon Region Investment Committee has approved 60 investment projects for 2024, which will create 29,290 job opportunities, the state-run daily Myanma Alinn reported on Sunday.
Xinhua
Myanmar’s Resistance Is Getting the China Question Wrong
Source: Irrawaddy
Now is a critical and testing period for Myanmar’s revolutionary actors—one in which sober judgement with calm and measured wisdom, and strategic engagement with China are most required.
Htet Min Lwin; Thiha Wint Aung
For the Rohingya, tormentors change but not the torment
Source: The Japan Times
No matter who is in control in Myanmar, it seems, it is the Rohingya who suffer. “Everyone hates us, but I don’t know why,” said Manwara, 19. “It’s our curse.
Hannah BEECH | The New York Times
China’s Plunder of Myanmar’s Rare Earth Wealth Threatens Global Security
Source: Irrawaddy
This systematic destruction is not just another case of resource exploitation—it is China’s calculated strategy to dominate the global supply chain of critical minerals, using Myanmar’s political isolation as a shield for its rapacious activities.
Ankit K, Assistant Professor in International Relations, School of International Cooperation, Security and Strategic Languages
Sold to China: Trafficking of women from throughout Burma to be forced brides in China
Source: Kachin Women’s Association Thailand
This report, based on interviews with 187 female trafficking survivors assisted by KWAT between 2019 and 2023, reveals that the demand for brides continues to be the main factor fuelling trafficking of women from Burma to China
Report | Kachin Women’s Association Thailand
Myanmar Names And Launches New FF-135 Frigate And Commissions Two New Corvettes
Source: Naval News
The Myanmar Navy held two ceremonies for the christening and the launching of the new FF-135 frigate named ‘UMS King Thalun’, and also for the commissionning of two new ASW corvettes in presence of senior Navy officials on December 25th. 2024.
Martin Manaranche