During her first visit to Canada since the 2021 military coup, the National Unity Government (NUG) Foreign Minister Zin Mar Aung clarified the strategic purpose of a newly formed resistance council and firmly dismissed rumours that it was established to negotiate with the regime in Naypyidaw.
The visit is part of a diplomatic blitz introducing the recently established Steering Council for the Emergence of a Federal Democratic Union (SCEF) in capitals around the world. The SCEF was established on March 30 as a joint political and military coordination body designed to end military rule.
Maintaining international focus
NUG Foreign Minister Zin Mar Aung told DVB in an interview on May 29 that the primary goal of her delegation’s visit is to sustain the Canadian government’s attention on Myanmar amid competing global crises.
“Canada is a traditional supporter of the democratic movement and has a program to support the federalization process and local governance in Myanmar,” she said.
“Many countries are withdrawing their international aid… so our trip as the SCEF is to continue to get the attention and support of the Canadian government, and to engage with and listen to our Myanmar diaspora.”
Dispelling rumors of negotiations
Addressing recent speculation that the SCEF was created specifically to open a channel for negotiations with the regime, Zin Mar Aung pushed back strongly, calling it a “misinterpretation of our unified effort.”
Rather than a negotiating body, she described the SCEF as a demonstration of “collective leadership” designed to guide both the ongoing armed resistance to the 2021 coup and the subsequent political transition.
“Our revolution needs stronger leadership… not just for fighting this revolution, but also in preparation for the transition, which is really very important,” Zin Mar Aung explained.
Approach to International Pressure
In response to ongoing pressure from the international community—including frameworks like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Five-Point Consensus—to engage in an “inclusive dialogue” with the regime, the NUG insists that dialogue cannot occur in a vacuum.
“When we talk about inclusive dialogue, we also need to talk about the release of all political prisoners. Why don’t we talk about the cessation of violence? The military junta must stop airstrikes against civilians,” Zin Mar Aung stated.
She emphasized that any political resolution must be a complete “package” that explicitly includes transitional justice.
Furthermore, she reiterated the resistance’s absolute refusal to return to the military-drafted 2008 Constitution or the defunct Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), pointing instead to the six political objectives the resistance publicly announced in 2024.
The Quest for Legitimacy
Following the regime’s recent push to secure international recognition following heavily criticized elections earlier this year, the NUG believes that the formation of the SCEF serves as a direct counter to the regime’s narrative.
It proves to the international community that the resistance is a viable, organized alternative government.
“The international community used to claim that we are divided… that we are united [only] because we have a common enemy, and if we end this military coup, we will fight each other,” she noted.
“The SCEF is evidence that we are not fragmented… Even if there is a power vacuum, we are ready to step in and work together to bring our country together as a union.”
A Message of Resilience
At the end of the interview, Zin Mar Aung expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering support of the people inside Myanmar and the global diaspora, including those from Myanmar living in Canada.
“Because of our people’s support, our revolution still survives,” she said. “We will not stop until we defeat the military junta… I just want to encourage our people: stay strong and believe in our future.”
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