Myanmar Spring Chronicle – September 2 View
(MoeMaKa) September 3, 2024
Declaration of Three Ethnic Armed Groups as Terrorist Organizations and Historical Background
On September 2, the junta’s Central Committee for the Suppression of Terrorism announced that three ethnic armed groups — the Kokang (MNDAA), Rakhine (AA), and Ta’ang (TNLA) groups, which collectively call themselves the Northern Alliance — were being declared as terrorist organizations. This marks the second time they have been designated as such, following a first declaration in March 2020 under the NLD-led government. However, after the military coup in early 2021, the junta revoked the declaration against the AA. Now, over three years later, the AA is once again being labeled a terrorist organization.
Fierce fighting between the AA and the military occurred in northern Rakhine State between 2018 and 2019, prompting the military, with the agreement of the NLD government, to declare the AA a terrorist organization. At the time, while other ethnic armed groups were engaging in peace talks with the government, the AA was in open conflict with the military.
During peace talks under both the Thein Sein and NLD governments, the military did not always align with the government’s stance. For example, during the 2015 NCA (Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement) negotiations, the military objected to inviting the three Northern Alliance groups to participate, a decision that was influenced by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s stance, despite the government’s efforts for peace.
Under Thein Sein, the military also resisted categorizing the AA, which emerged after the 2010 elections, as a legitimate ethnic armed group in peace negotiations, saying that the group’s reliance on armed struggle made them unfit for such recognition.
After the 2015 elections, the AA gained significant political support in Rakhine State but was denied the opportunity to lead the state government. This further validated their belief in armed struggle as the right path. Intense fighting between the military and the AA continued for years, especially during 2018-2019, and many Rakhine people began to support the AA’s cause for independence.
In 2020, the AA agreed to a temporary ceasefire just before the November elections. After the coup, however, the junta reversed the NLD’s decision to designate the AA as terrorists, possibly seeing them as a potential ally in their opposition to the NLD.
The MNDAA (Kokang) group, which has been in conflict with the military in the rugged Laukkai region for many years, was also declared a terrorist organization. Since 2009, the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, led by Peng Jiasheng, pro to Burmese junta and Myanmar military’s camp have been attacked by MNDAA in the region.
The TNLA, an ethnic armed group from northern Shan State, has rapidly expanded its strength since the military coup. It has launched significant attacks on key towns, including those threatening Mandalay. This recent activity likely led to its inclusion in the list of terrorist organizations.
The declaration of these groups as terrorist organizations enables the junta to legally target anyone found in connection with them under anti-terrorism laws. This action also signals the junta’s refusal to recognize these groups’ political goals and attempts to delegitimize them as mere insurgents.
The junta’s designation of the Spring Revolution’s Vanguard (NUG) as a terrorist group further underscores its stance against any political negotiations with armed groups. Additionally, the junta has made it clear to international and Chinese leaders that they have closed the door on any talks with domestic political figures, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains imprisoned under junta-imposed sentences.