Senior General Min Aung Hlaing calls for peace on Myanmar’s Union Day amid accusations of terrorism against resistance forces

Mizzima

In a message marking the 79th anniversary of Union Day on 12 February 2026, military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing urged for political reconciliation and a peaceful resolution to Myanmar’s internal discord, asserting that the “door to peace remains open” for those willing to abandon armed struggle.

“We can only succeed in building democracy and lasting peace by freeing ourselves from foreign interference and internal discord, resolving our differences through political means, and embracing the spirit of unity among our ethnic brothers,” the military leader said.

He also called on all ethnic communities to take part in the peace process, urging collective efforts to achieve lasting peace with ethnic armed groups.

He added that ethnic armed groups must cooperate in advancing peace in line with the common agreements set out in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).

In the message, the military leader again referred to the revolutionaries as “terrorists,” accusing them of undermining regional peace and development and claiming that local ethnic communities are suffering socio-economic decline and loss of life as a result.

Facing territorial losses in fighting since the coup, the military leader has once again urged ethnic armed groups and the People’s Defence Forces (PDF) to lay down their arms and pursue a political solution.

Despite the military leader’s call for political dialogue, the junta continues to carry out airstrikes on civilian areas controlled by ethnic armed groups and resistance forces, with clashes between the two sides ongoing.

In January, the Myanmar Military and Security Studies Institute (MDSI) said the military council may seek ceasefire agreements with some ethnic armed organizations, including the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Arakan Army (AA), through a new government formed after the planned election.

In a message marking today’s 79th anniversary of the signing of the Panglong Agreement, the National Unity Government (NUG) said the failure of successive governments particularly the military regime to uphold the agreement’s commitments and spirit has fuelled internal conflict and political instability since independence in 1948, leaving the country weakened on all fronts and still far from peace.