The Myanmar military council has signed a contract with DCI Group, a US-based public relations and PR firm, for $3 million per year to help rebuild relations with the US government. According to reports, DCI Group will focus on improving relations between the US government and Myanmar military, particularly in areas of trade, natural resources, and humanitarian assistance. The contract aims to facilitate better communication and engagement between the two parties in these specific sectors.
The current situation has been complicated by recent events, including restrictions on US aid following the dissolution of USAID under President Trump’s administration. This became particularly evident after the March 28 earthquake in Myanmar, though the US still managed to provide $9 million in emergency assistance through international partners. This aid included emergency shelter, food supplies, medical support, health services, sanitation access, clean water, and sewage management. However, the US maintains sanctions against Myanmar military leaders due to the 2017 Rohingya genocide and the 2021 military coup, which have significantly impacted bilateral relations.
DCI Group maintains strong connections with the current ruling Republican Party in the United States, with many of its partners having been involved in Republican campaign efforts. The company has previous experience working with Myanmar’s military leadership, having conducted similar lobbying work for eight months in 2002 during former dictator Than Shwe’s regime, though that contract ended in 2003. This historical context demonstrates the company’s familiarity with Myanmar-US relations, though the current political landscape presents different challenges and considerations compared to two decades ago.
