Supporters of the Myanmar junta held protests against the United States’ (US) ratification of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) outside the Yangon US embassy on University Avenue and the UK embassy on Strand Road.

The 2022 Burma Act was part of the 2023 NDAA that was ratified into law by US President Biden on 23 December 2022.

A member of the legal professions who is involved with the Civil disobedience Movement (CDM) said: “Protesters held placards condemning the United Nations and the United States. They also held vinyl signs saying things like ‘We condemn the unilateral agreement of the United Nations Security Council against Myanmar’ and ‘we do not want the terrorist NUG or PDFs’. They protested for more than 30 minutes.”

The Military Council’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on 27 December saying that the NDAA interferes with Myanmar’s internal affairs and encroaches on the country’s sovereignty. It also said that the NDAA encourages terrorism because it supports the National Unity Government (NUG) in exile, the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) and people’s defence forces.