Myanmar junta leader reiterates the military’s political role in 78th Independence Day anniversary message

Mizzima

Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, used his Independence Day message to reassert the junta’s political narrative. Portraying the armed forces as the sole guarantor of national unity and stability, he sharply criticised ethnic armed organisations and unnamed foreign actors.

The translated speech accompanied official ceremonies marking the 78th anniversary of independence, and was published by the junta-run Global New Light of Myanmar on 4 January.

Through his anniversary message, Min Aung Hlaing framed the post-coup crisis as the result of what he termed “ethnic extremism,” “ideological rigidity,” and the manipulation of armed struggle for “personal gain.”

He argued these forces were responsible for prolonging the conflict and impeding national development. In contrast, he cast the military’s role as a stabilising force safeguarding Myanmar’s independence. He noted the independence could still be lost if “misguided ideas, beliefs, or actions prevail” during the current period of internal division.

Turning to the current elections, the general reiterated long-standing junta claims that the February 2021 coup was a constitutional response to alleged “vote irregularities” in the 2020 election. He highlighted the junta’s ongoing phased election process, which began in late December 2025, as evidence of a return to multiparty democracy.

The elections have been widely dismissed by opposition groups, human rights organisations, governments, and international bodies as a sham.

Peace and national unity featured prominently in the message. Min Aung Hlaing called for all ethnic groups to support the military’s three “national causes” – non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity, and perpetuation of sovereignty. He also urged all stakeholders, including armed groups, to recommit to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) despite its collapse following the 2021 coup.

The address also touched on economic plans. The junta leader highlighted support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), import substitution, and the One Region–One Product initiative, alongside expanded education and healthcare programmes.

These development pledges were framed, however, as contingent on nationwide stability, something the junta argues can only be achieved through alignment with its political roadmap.

Overall, the message aimed to reinforce the junta’s core themes of unity under military leadership, rejection of dissent, and insistence that its controlled electoral process represents a genuine democratic transition.