Myanmar Junta Chief Calls for Peaceful Integration Amidst Continued Conflict
Myanmar's junta leader urges armed groups to engage in politics, stressing peaceful elections as the path to resolution.
From the turbulent heart of Myanmar, a new clarion call echoes. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, leader of Myanmar’s junta, has once again urged ethnic armed organizations and the People’s Defense Force (PDF) to lay down their arms and step into the political sphere. At the opening of the 2025 Peace Forum in Naypyidaw, he delivered his compelling plea for peace.
The Call for Disarmament
During his address on June 25, Min Aung Hlaing implored all factions in the ongoing national conflict to abandon their armed resistance in favor of engaging in electoral politics. “Pursuing demands through armed struggle is a misguided path,” he stated, asserting that political disputes can only be genuinely resolved through dialogue and elections.
A Consistent Message
This appeal is not new. The junta chief’s call for disarmament is a recurrent theme, having been voiced during his Armed Forces Day speech earlier this year. The military leader emphasized his commitment to equitable socio-economic development for all ethnic groups, trying to strike a note of reassurance amidst accusations of targeting civilians in resistance strongholds.
Elections: The Path Forward
Min Aung Hlaing reaffirmed his dedication to transitioning power to the party that succeeds in the forthcoming elections. He projected confidence in the forthcoming December and January elections, deeming the parliamentary process as the “best political solution.”
International Participation
Echoing regional influence, China’s Special Envoy for Asian Affairs, Deng Xijun, was present at the conference, indicating international interest in Myanmar’s political stabilization. The Peace Forum, running from June 25 to 27, serves as a platform for national and international dialogue toward a brighter political future for Myanmar.
In a nation searching for peace, the repeated calls for dialogue over confrontation signal hope. Yet, the onus lies on Myanmar’s democratic processes to make these dreams a tangible reality. According to mizzima, the Peace Forum might hold the key to unlocking new pathways to enduring peace.
