Mizzima

Two years after its formation, the National Unity Government (NUG) can claim it has surprised Min Aung Hlaing’s military junta by the resistance pushback that even the top general admits means they have lost control of half of the country. 

NUG marks the second anniversary of their founding on 16 April can claim majority support from the people. 

The NUG was established approximately two and a half months after the military coup that overthrew the elected civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February 2021.

Over the past two years, the NUG government has achieved significant successes despite facing several challenges. 

Officials NUG told Mizzima that their government has achieved success in the two years since its formation, particularly in terms of diplomacy and territorial control. However, there are still many challenges to be addressed, including supplying humanitarian aid that was disrupted by the military junta's deliberate terrorist attacks.

NUG President's Office spokesperson Kyaw Zaw cited the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M) to explain that the People's Defense Forces (PDF) of the NUG has been successful due to the military junta's inability to govern almost half of the country, with only 17 percent of the territory said to be under their stable control, with them facing PDF resistance on a number of fronts. 

“Our biggest success was when the military staged the coup, they believed that they could take control of the entire country within a matter of months. But, currently, the Military Council only has control over small areas in the entire country, and Min Aung Hlaing has even admitted that they are unable to govern almost half of the country,” said Kyaw Zaw. “Independent observers have analyzed the situation and found that the Military Council can effectively govern only 17 per cent of Myanmar. More than half of the country is under the control of revolutionary forces. The remaining areas are being contested by both the Military Council and our forces in an attempt to gain control of those territories, according to the analysis.”

Kyaw Zaw also discusses the challenges faced in acquiring weapons, while emphasizing the importance of a central command system to achieve greater success in the armed resistance movement.

“The demand for weapons is very high, and the cost of purchasing them has doubled, and in some cases tripled. Despite the challenges, the strength and resistance of the people remain strong. Currently, our focus is on developing the central command system, which has been successful to some extent. To achieve greater success, we need a central command system to fight unitedly and strategically. With that approach, great success will be achieved,” said Kyaw Zaw.

Kyaw Zaw added that, despite the challenges, the NUG has connected with Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs) for the armed revolution, and the NUG's Ministry of Defense has organized more than 300 People's Defense Force (PDF) battalions.

On the other hand, a citizen expresses some dissatisfaction with the NUG's performance, citing the need for a clear plan, concerns about junta’s airstrikes, and a call for better results and support given the increasing number of Internally Displaced People (IDPs).

“NUG is almost two years old now. What the people want to hear is a clear and precise plan. The claims that it [the NUG] already has anti-aircraft weapons only hurt the people more because of the Military Council’s airstrikes. Most people support the NUG. I want better results along with support. Now there are more IDPs. Even if the increasing number of IDPs cannot be reduced, it remains crucial to strive towards preventing further increases. The NUG must prioritize meeting the needs of IDPs. Almost two years since the establishment of NUG, in some cases, I am not satisfied with the performance of the interim government [NUG] supported by the people.”

NUG President's Office spokesperson Kyaw Zaw highlights the urgent need for international assistance in addressing the worst humanitarian crisis in Myanmar's history, caused by the Military Council's atrocities and economic mismanagement.

“The main challenge we face is that due to the Military Council's terrorist atrocities, the need for humanitarian assistance in all parts of Myanmar is reaching the worst situation in Myanmar's history. In order to fulfil the humanitarian needs, we are connected with the international community. Although we are doing our best to help, we also have limited resources, so there are many difficulties in helping all the people who need help. For example, there are more than 60,000 houses that have been burned by the Military Council.”

He notes that the NUG can only work in a limited way in the areas they control to resettle the people. 

“So we are trying to connect internationally. Now, the UN has officially pointed out that there are 1.8 million IDPs in Myanmar. More than a third of Myanmar's population is in need of humanitarian assistance. At the same time, the economic management of the Military Council is poor and it does not seem to have the will to do it. The country's economy has already been bankrupted since it started working only to oppress the people. For example, there are severe power outages in many parts of Myanmar. During the tenure of the civilian government, the whole country got enough electricity. Because of the Military Council’s incompetence, for example, the LNG vessel owned by Hong Kong [which was helping produce electricity] has left Myanmar. Investors are leaving. Electricity projects were stopped,” said Kyaw Zaw.

Kyaw Zaw accuses the Military Council of violating international laws through their obstruction of international aid and lack of cooperation in addressing the country's problems.

“The problems that people have to face are not small. We have international connections to help the people. However, the Military Council's obstruction and their lack of cooperation means that it does not reach the public as much as it should have. I also want to tell you that they are violating international laws,” he said. 

“Overall, the NUG's performance in the past two years has been largely successful due to the support of the people, despite numerous challenges. As our Acting President has stated, the inability to fully protect the people from the Military Council's abuses is a significant challenge, but we are doing our best to overcome it. We are also working with international organizations to provide direct humanitarian assistance to the people. I urge the people to continue to cooperate and not lose momentum,” said Kyaw Zaw.

As of 28 February this year, 60,459 homes of civilians were destroyed by arson attacks by the military junta, according to an independent research organization, Data for Myanmar.