Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who led the military coup, has shed his military uniform, assumed a civilian appearance, and taken office as President.
In the five years since the coup, the seven ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) that signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) have held multiple meetings with the military junta. According to Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson for the 7 EAO Alliance, efforts must now be made to reach a political dialogue following the emergence of a parliament under the junta-led election.
“We do have some expectations. Previously, there was no government or parliament. During that period, we had some engagement, but we did not consider those sessions to be formal peace talks. Since 2021, there have been no political dialogues at all. Discussions under the NCA framework and Union-level conferences have completely stopped,” he said.
He added that the 7 EAO Alliance has been unable to hold political dialogue for over five years. Now that Min Aung Hlaing has become President, the Alliance believes efforts should be made to reach a new stage of political negotiations.
On April 3, 2026, the Union Parliament formed by the junta elected Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as President during a presidential electoral session. A political analyst noted that as the junta forms a new government, there may be shifts in peace-related policies.
Meanwhile, a Political Consultative Body (PCB)—composed of Sai Nyunt Lwin, U Tha Tun Hla, and former 88 Generation student leader Mya Aye—is also working to promote inclusive political dialogue involving all stakeholders to resolve ongoing conflicts.
Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt stated that the 7 EAO Alliance is continuing its efforts, despite significant challenges, to rebuild Union-level peace.
“To reduce the armed conflicts occurring in our country and to restart peace efforts, various stakeholders will likely continue striving in different ways to rebuild Union-wide peace,” he said.
The 7 EAO Alliance remains hopeful that processes for rebuilding peace may emerge within the political landscape following the formation of this junta-led government.
The 7 EAO Alliance consists of the following groups: Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), New Mon State Party (NMSP), Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and the Karen Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC)
The military junta, which seized power from the civilian government on February 1, 2021, held what has been popularly referred to as a “sham election” in late 2025/2026. The junta then formed a government that has not been recognized by the public, pro-democracy forces, resistance groups, ASEAN, or the international community.
