Revolutionary forces have rejected an offer for peace talks proposed by the military leader. Revolutionary forces however, point out the top military leader has assumed the presidency as a result of a sham election, while continuing killings of civilians and arrests of politicians.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing announced that from April 20 to July 31, 2026, all ethnic armed organizations—both those that have signed and not signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA)—are invited to engage in peace discussions.
People’s Defense Forces (PDF), operating under the command structure of the National Unity Government (NUG), remain actively engaged in fighting the junta. Strategy 33 commander Comrade Saw Dar Ko, told IMNA that they would not abandon armed resistance unless their goals—genuine lasting peace aligned with the will of the people and the establishment of a federal union—are achieved.
He stated that “Everyone already knows why the PDFs took up arms and why we are carrying out the revolution. The situation in the country is not peaceful as they claim. Villages and towns are still being burned. These invitations are not sincere. Talking about peace while wearing military uniforms and carrying weapons does not make sense.”
The military leader has also extended invitations to groups such as the Chin National Front (CNF), Karen National Union (KNU), and All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF), which have not held meetings under the NCA framework for five years.
According to KNU spokesperson Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, the military has been exploiting the NCA as a delaying tactic. He reiterated that the KNU has already officially declared its position that the military must withdraw from politics.
“Our position is clear—the military must exit politics. We have officially stated this. The NCA is being used opportunistically, and current actions do not align with it,” he said.
Colonel Khun Okka of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S) suggested that priority should be given to engaging with three groups that withdrew from the NCA, and that peace efforts should proceed step by step.
“This is not yet a concrete or structured invitation. It does not specify who will be involved in discussions. There are three groups that withdrew from the NCA, and they may be the priority for re-engagement. Peace is a long-term process—step one, step two. It may begin with regional stability, reducing tensions, hatred, and armed conflict before broader peace can be discussed,” he said.
He added that achieving full peace will take time, and that immediate focus should be placed on restoring stability in affected regions.
Meanwhile, Min Aung Hlaing also remarked that it would be a mistake if parties demand unrealistic conditions during peace talks merely to sustain their organizations.
Since the military coup, NCA signatories including CNF, KNU, and ABSDF have withdrawn from the agreement and are now engaged in armed conflict with the military, alongside the People’s Defense Forces.
The military has frequently invited the PDF and other revolutionary forces to peace talks, and this latest proposal marks the first such invitation since the military leader assumed the presidency.
