Myanmar Domestic News Updates – April 17, 2025 Morning
๐๐ (1) NUG and Allied Organizations Issue a Statement Regarding Reports of a Possible Meeting Between Junta Leader Min Aung Hlaing and ASEAN Leaders
In a joint statement issued on April 16, the National Unity Government (NUG) and allied organizations expressed concern over reports that Myanmar military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to meet ASEAN leaders in Bangkok, Thailand, in the coming days to discuss humanitarian aid for victims of the recent earthquakes.
The statement highlights that Min Aung Hlaing—who continues to perpetrate daily acts of violence and oppression against the people of Myanmar—is allegedly meeting ASEAN leaders under the pretext of discussing humanitarian assistance. This comes at a time when, even during the Thingyan New Year holidays, the junta continues to bombard innocent civilians daily with state-funded weapons, airstrikes, and bombs. The NUG and its allies therefore express serious concern about ASEAN's willingness to engage with the junta leader in this context.
They strongly emphasize that humanitarian aid must be delivered impartially and without political bias, in accordance with international humanitarian principles. As such, aid should not be handed over solely to the military junta, which controls only approximately 22% of the country’s territory. Instead, it is necessary to ensure coordination with all relevant stakeholders in territories administered by the National Unity Government and ethnic revolutionary organizations.
The statement further underscores that if ASEAN chooses to provide humanitarian assistance solely through Min Aung Hlaing, such aid will inevitably be politically manipulated by the junta. Therefore, the NUG and its allies vehemently oppose any such arrangement and reiterate their call for inclusive, impartial, and effective aid delivery that does not legitimize the junta.
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๐๐ (2) NUCC Declares that Myanmar’s Revolutionary Forces Must Now Transition into a Unified and Victorious Force Alongside the Four-Year-Old NUG
In a congratulatory message marking the fourth anniversary of the founding of the National Unity Government, the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) stated that Myanmar has now entered a pivotal period during which all revolutionary forces must consolidate their efforts and support the NUG in transforming into a leading, victorious government.
The NUCC commended the NUG for its leadership and coordination during the Spring Revolution, which has persisted despite the brutal oppression by the military junta. It praised the NUG’s role as a driving force capable of uniting the entire country in resisting military dictatorship.
The message also noted that the current phase of the revolution presents new opportunities, based on significant progress already achieved. It stressed that the NUG's role will become even more critical in the final push toward complete victory.
The NUCC called upon the NUG to work collaboratively with allied organizations and revolutionary forces to assess its strengths and weaknesses, and to prepare for the decisive phase of the Spring Revolution. This call was conveyed in the message sent to commemorate the government’s four-year anniversary.
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๐๐ (3) Over the Past Four Years, the NUG’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Has Actively Worked to Secure Tangible International Support
According to a report released by the National Unity Government on April 16 marking its fourth year of operations, the NUG’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has actively pursued a non-aligned and independent foreign policy aimed at securing tangible international support, including humanitarian assistance.
The report stated that the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs has conducted diplomatic visits to 13 countries, participating in meetings and official discussions at the invitation of relevant governments and organizations. In addition, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs has engaged in talks with officials from governments, parliaments, institutions, and international agencies, including meetings with high-level decision-makers in the United States and other countries.
The Ministry continues to implement an independent, dynamic, and non-aligned foreign policy in order to achieve international recognition for the NUG, to prevent legitimacy being granted to the military junta, and to obtain practical support—including humanitarian aid—for the democratic resistance.
To enhance the effectiveness of its operations, the NUG has appointed representatives in several countries, including ASEAN nations, Australia, the Czech Republic, India, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United Kingdom. In June 2024, the NUG also opened a diplomatic office in Dili, Timor-Leste, and appointed a deputy chief of mission to serve there.
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๐๐ 4. People's Administration System Functioning Effectively in 7 Regions, 10 Districts, and 183 Townships
The National Unity Government (NUG) reported in its Four-Year Progress Report released on April 16 that the People’s Administration Mechanism is functioning effectively in 7 regions, 10 districts, and 183 townships.
To dismantle the junta’s administrative control and establish civilian governance in areas under revolutionary control, the NUG has formed a Central Committee for Interim Local Public Administration, led by the Union Prime Minister. This committee is tasked with implementing the interim civilian governance system in liberated areas.
In the aforementioned townships, the government is actively implementing administrative functions, including security, rule of law, and public service delivery.
To enable effective security and law enforcement, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration has established the People’s Police Force in 9 townships and organized People’s Security Groups in 48 townships, according to the report.
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๐๐ 5. NUG Establishes 356 Defense Units, Allocates 94% of Budget to Defense Sector
The National Unity Government (NUG) announced in its Four-Year Progress Report that it has formed a total of 356 defense units, including 316 battalions of the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and specialized units such as drone units, medical units, logistics units, and security units. The report noted that 94% of the national budget has been allocated to the defense sector.
On May 5, 2021, the NUG officially launched the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and the People’s Defense Organizations (PDO/Pa Ka Pha) nationwide. The defense budget was deployed both to wage the people’s resistance war and to establish a foundational structure for a future Federal Union Army, in line with a federal democratic political system.
As of now, People’s Defense Organizations have been formally established in 235 townships, with ongoing expansions in 11 additional townships. The PDF forces are actively engaged in combat operations across all states and regions, including Nay Pyi Taw. This has necessitated nationwide military expenditure and has also included fund allocations to support allied revolutionary forces.
Despite facing challenges in acquiring arms, ammunition, and financial resources, the NUG stated that these have been addressed through the collaborative support of the revolutionary public and the assistance of allied revolutionary organizations.
The NUG emphasized that the PDF, in collaboration with ethnic revolutionary organizations (EROs), has organized theater commands, built a hierarchical command structure, and is engaging in frontline combat. By 2024, the PDF has advanced from guerrilla and mobile warfare to launching strategic offensive operations, including town and camp seizures.
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๐๐ 6. Empowering Muslim Women in Arakan Through Field Engagement
According to Arakan Princess Media, the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government and the Rakhine Students’ Union have been conducting fieldwork to enhance the role of Muslim women in Arakan State.
In recent days, under the leadership of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government, officials and members of the Rakhine Students’ Union, along with local administrative personnel, conducted outreach visits to Muslim communities. During these visits, they held meetings with local Muslim women to discuss their roles and rights.
The government representatives emphasized the need to set aside religious customs, social norms, and traditional taboos that hinder gender equality and women’s participation in nation-building. They acknowledged the potential and capabilities of Muslim women and encouraged them to take on responsibilities.
They affirmed that every citizen of Arakan—regardless of religion, ethnicity, or skin color—deserves equal rights and bears equal responsibilities. In the process of rebuilding the country, everyone—regardless of gender—must come together and contribute based on their abilities. The outreach activities were aimed at ensuring that Muslim women, in addition to Muslim men, are included in the nation-building process, said a spokesperson of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.
Muslim populations reside across several townships in Arakan State, including Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Thandwe, Minbya, Mrauk-U, and Sittwe.
These updates were submitted by Radio NUG correspondents Tharki, Min Sitt Thway, and Khur Shel.
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