Regime invites resistance forces to peace talks as election date is set

By Admin 19 Aug 2025

DMG Newsroom

19 August 2025, Mrauk-U

Myanmar's military regime has set an election date and simultaneously invited the country's ethnic armed groups to peace talks as skepticism of both prospects abounds.

Junta-controlled state-run dailies published statements on August 18, when the junta-appointed Union Election Commission announced that the first phase of the election would begin on December 28, calling for peace talks with ethnic armed groups.

The military regime said ethnic armed groups that want to resolve armed conflicts and bring about peace can contact the relevant state and regional governments to carry out preliminary processes on an individual basis as a first step. The regime said that after the preliminary phase is completed, a national-level discussion organisation will be formed and relevant discussion processes will continue.

Since seizing power, the junta chief has consistently called on ethnic armed groups to negotiate peace, while continuing to launch offensives on the ground, including aerial bombardments and artillery fire.

"Peace talks are a good thing, but they need to be sincere," said an Arakanese youth who monitors politics and the peace process. "In other words, we have seen a pattern of inviting each ethnic armed group to peace talks since 2012. There was no nationwide ceasefire policy, and some ethnic armed groups remained in the peace talks. When the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) came out, there were ethnic armed groups that did not accept it. This is an example."

Analysts have criticised the junta boss's calls for peace as the military regime is currently conducting counter-offensives in Mandalay Region, Kachin and Northern Shan states, and some parts of Kayah (Karenni) and Kayin (Karen) states.

"If the military regime invites one ethnic armed group to peace talks while leaving another one behind, it will not be a true peace," the Arakanese youth added. "Whether the military regime is aiming for an election or just out of sympathy for the people, if it really wants to implement a ceasefire, it will have to be a nationwide ceasefire. Ethnic armed groups and anti-regime forces will also need to have acceptable standards."

The military regime has declared martial law in 63 townships, including most of the areas occupied by resistance forces.

The junta on July 29 enacted an election-related law that carries prison sentences and even the death penalty for opponents of the poll who violate the law's provisions.