The National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmar has adopted a four point statement claiming that foreign Non-State Armed Groups have been settling inside Myanmar territory with the help of the military Junta.
P Achumse Yingbithongrü
Kiphire | October 21
In a strategic foreign policy declaration on relations with neighbouring countries and border security by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmar has adopted a four point statement claiming that some foreign Non-State Armed Groups have been settling inside Myanmar territory with the help of the military Junta.
The statement, accessed by The Morung Express, said that as such, the military Junta has been taking advantage of these groups and using them to fight the PDF which is the ‘pro-democracy people’s movement fighting the Junta regime.’
The NUG is a government in exile formed in April 2021 by the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a group of elected lawmakers and members of parliament ousted in the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. It includes representatives of the National League for Democracy, activists and several ethnic groups. The NUG has also announced the formation of a ‘People’s Defence Force’ (PDF) to oppose the military Junta.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the February 2021 coup that ousted a civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, which had held power for five years and was set to start its second term after a landslide general election victory which was held in November.
The document states that the National Unity Government (NUG) is committed to maintain friendly relations with neighbouring countries to ensure close cooperation in promoting respective bilateral interest and also adds that the NUG of the Union of Myanmar adheres to an independent and active foreign policy alongside its vision to establish a people-centered and values-driven federal democratic union.
The declaration also maintained that as responsible regional partners, ‘we reiterate our commitment to our neighbours in setting up cross border mechanism, policies and infrastructures to maintain border stability and security.’ The NUG declared that it will not allow entities ‘considered by our neighbour as a threat to their national security to settle inside Myanmar’s territory.’
Speaking to The Morung Express from an undisclosed location, top Myanmar political leader, Bo Bo Oo, Member of Parliament and former Secretary of International Relations Committee said that “when NUG succeed in our earnest effort in building a federal democratic Union it will greatly benefit both our countries and to the region”.
Bo Bo Oo added that Myanmar will always continue to pursue and up-hold non-aligned, independent and vibrant foreign policy that would foster peace. He said that Myanmar will also continue to build great friendships with all its neighbours including India.
“Democratic government of Myanmar is no enemy to India, as historically good relations and exchanges have been very firm since the pro-independence movement in 1920s and 1930s as political leaders from both India and Myanmar were strongly tied together for Independence” he added.
He expressed hope that Government of India will firmly support the Myanmar democracy movement and not endorse the Junta regime. With India’s North-East states sharing a long border with Myanmar, the Government of India may welcome the declaration made by the NUG.
