The National Unity Government (NUG)’s Acting President Duwa Lashi La and Prime Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann have called on the international community to carefully assess the military council’s stance, particularly its continued attacks on civilians, while promoting peace talks. This warning was issued during the NUG’s cabinet meeting 12/2025 held on April 22. The Acting President noted that while the international community is pushing for peace talks in light of the recent earthquake, the NUG has consistently desired peace and stability throughout Myanmar. He emphasized that the NUG was the first to announce a ceasefire, except for self-defense, following the powerful Sagaing earthquake.
The Acting President stressed the importance of not overlooking the fundamental desires of the people in any peace negotiations. He urged the international community to seriously evaluate the military council’s approach to peace talks. The Prime Minister expressed disappointment that despite the NUG’s ceasefire announcement in earthquake-affected areas, the military council has intensified its airstrikes against civilians. He emphasized that the military council has proven to be increasingly hostile, necessitating careful preparation and valuable use of limited time by the NUG.
The Acting President pointed out that over 70 years of civil war has demonstrated that no form of military rule can bring genuine development to the country, urging the military council to recognize this reality. Prime Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann expressed particular concern about the military’s escalation of airstrikes against civilians who are already suffering from earthquake damage. He emphasized the need for the NUG to maintain vigilance and make strategic use of the current situation, noting that the military council’s actions continue to demonstrate their disregard for civilian welfare even during natural disasters. The leadership stressed that any meaningful discussion of peace must address the fundamental issues that have led to decades of conflict, rather than superficial negotiations that fail to address the root causes of Myanmar’s ongoing crisis.
