Proxy party USDP wins military’s elections
The Union Election Commission (UEC) released final election results on Wednesday, reporting that the military-proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won 231 out of 263 seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw, or lower house of parliament. The final results from the Amyotha Hluttaw, or upper house, haven’t been released yet. But the USDP won 52 out of 78 seats after the first two rounds of voting, according to the UEC.
Htin Kyaw Aye, an independent election analyst from Burma, told DVB that the regime leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing will install himself as the leader of a “fake” civilian government, via military proxies. Under the 2008 Constitution, if a party wins 294 of 586 seats from 263 townships in the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, or union parliament, it can elect the president. The military is allotted 25 per cent of all seats, or 166, in parliament.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun congratulated Burma on completing the elections. The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M), a group of international human rights experts, stated that any country, U.N. agency, or company that legitimizes the military is “complicit in its crimes.” The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stated that it will not endorse Burma’s elections.
Calls for Australia and Timor-Leste to refer Myanmar to ICC
Fortify Rights, a regional human rights group, called on Australia and Timor-Leste to refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday, during a two-day visit by the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Timor-Leste, where he met with President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão. Albanese addressed the National Parliament of Timor-Leste in the capital Dili on Jan. 28.
“Australia and Timor-Leste should show global leadership for democracy, human rights and accountability by referring Myanmar to the ICC,” said Benedict Rogers, the senior director at Fortify Rights. He added that an ICC referral would help end “the spiral of violence and impunity” under the regime. ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested an arrest warrant for regime leader Min Aung Hlaing on crimes against humanity in 2024.
Fortify Rights added that Australia and Timor-Leste as members of the ICC have the authority to refer cases they believe fall under the court’s jurisdiction. The group believes that such a referral would allow the ICC to open a broader investigation into alleged international war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Burma since the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021, without needing approval from the U.N. Security Council.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting wraps up in the Philippines
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting ended today after two days of talks on issues ranging from Burma’s conflict since the 2021 military coup, tensions in the South China Sea, and the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. The ASEAN meeting was the first on the 11-member regional bloc’s agenda for the year under the 2026 chairmanship of the Philippines.
In her opening remarks on Thursday, Philippine Foreign Minister and Special Envoy on Burma Theresa Lazaro addressed global security as becoming more “challenging.” She vowed that ASEAN would continue to adhere to the principles of restraint, dialogue and international law. “Across our region, we continue to see tensions at sea, protracted internal conflicts and unresolved border and humanitarian concerns,” said Lazaro.
“Our meeting today allows us to collectively take stock of ASEAN’s priorities and exchange views on regional and global developments that directly affect us,” added Lazaro. The Philippines recently hosted a dialogue among Burma’s pro-democratic opposition to the regime in a bid to facilitate dialogue and humanitarian aid after a visit to Naypyidaw with senior regime officials, including Min Aung Hlaing. Read more
News by Region
CHINLAND—Salai Yaw Man, the former Chin Brotherhood spokesperson, told DVB that he’s now spokesperson for the newly-formed Chin People’s Army (CPA) and its political wing the Chin People’s Union (CPU). Four Chin Defense Force (CDF) units unified and announced its formation into the CPA/CPU on Jan. 12.
“We will be more united and consolidated regarding trade, administration and command changes. It will become more integrated. In decision-making, it will be more effective and coherent,” said Salai Yaw Man. The CPA consists of CDF units based in Mindat, Matupi, Kanpetlet, and Daai. Read more
KAREN—The Phan Foundation announced on Thursday that the 2025 Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award went to Lwe Htoo Say, head of the Karen National Union (KNU) Justice Department. The award, which is given annually, is to honor and support young Karen trying to improve their communities.
“This award does not belong to me alone, it belongs to the many community justice volunteers who work tirelessly every day to ensure that our people can access justice,” said Lwe Htoo Say, who will receive a cash prize of $4,000 USD and will receive the award at a ceremony for Karen Revolution Day on Jan. 31.
YANGON—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the alleged abuse of imprisoned journalist Myat Thu Kyaw, who sustained injuries to his eyes, face, and arms and was temporarily admitted to a hospital at Insein Prison for treatment. CPJ calls on regime authorities to immediately release him.
“The alleged physical abuse of Myat Thu Kyaw is another appalling example of the grotesque conditions imprisoned journalists face in Myanmar,” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative, who added that Myat Thu Kyaw must be unconditionally released. Read more
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