Myanmar resistance groups reject junta chief’s 100-day surrender ultimatum

Resistance groups across Myanmar have rejected a call by junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, who has recently installed himself as president, to surrender within 100 days and enter peace talks. Speaking at the first meeting of his newly formed administration in Naypyitaw on Monday, he called on anti-regime groups formed since his 2021 coup to lay down their arms by July 31, state media reported. He also invited ethnic armed organisations, including both signatories and non-signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), to attend negotiations within the same period. Claiming that a growing number of resistance fighters had already “returned to the legal fold,” he added that those willing to surrender would be welcomed. He also said that groups that have not held talks with the military in recent years—including the Karen National Union, the Chin National Front (CNF), and the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF)—would also be invited. Many of these groups were among the original signatories of the NCA, a partial ceasefire agreement signed in 2015. Since the military seized power in February 2021, however, they have aligned with the National Unity Government (NUG), formed by ousted lawmakers, and joined the broader armed resistance, arguing that the agreement is no longer valid. A spokesperson for the NUG, Nay Phone Latt, dismissed the junta leader’s proposal, saying it would not weaken the resolve of resistance forces. “His so-called peace offers have no substance and are widely understood, based on historical experience, as attempts to prolong military rule,” he told Myanmar Now. “There is no reason for us to change course.” A commander from the NUG’s Ministry of Defence said the offer reflected the military’s weakening position rather than a genuine attempt to end the conflict. “We have already resolved to fight this to the end,” he said. “We are working to ensure that no one will be able to stage another coup in this country again.” Ethnic armed groups also rejected the overture. CNF spokesperson Salai Htet Ni said the proposal appeared to be an attempt to revive the ceasefire framework to stabilise the military’s position, adding that it was unlikely to produce meaningful results. He said the CNF would continue to follow the political roadmap set out by a coalition of resistance groups working towards a federal democratic system. ABSDF spokesperson Kyaw Lin said his group had no confidence in any peace initiative led by a military that continues to carry out airstrikes and attacks on civilians. “We cannot trust any peace offer from a leader whose forces are bombing and killing people every day,” he said. “There is no political environment conducive to meaningful dialogue, and we do not believe he has the will to create one.” In his remarks, Min Aung Hlaing argued that national development would be impossible without stability, and warned resistance groups against making what he described as unrealistic demands during negotiations. “If necessary, the state will have to take appropriate actions,” he said, in an apparent warning to those rejecting the offer.

Myanmar resistance groups reject junta chief’s 100-day surrender ultimatum

The call by the newly self-appointed “president” is dismissed as just the latest effort by the regime to prolong military rule

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