ANC/AA leader: ‘Federalism and democracy are two sides of the same coin’

By Khaing Roe La 22 Feb 2022

Interviewed by Khaing Roe La 

With Myanmar’s politics upended by the military coup more than one year ago, anti-regime forces have largely coalesced around the need for a future Myanmar that is based on federalism. However, the exact contours of that system remain the subject of much debate and differing visions. 

Alongside the theoretical realm of a future federalism, the practical realities of post-coup Myanmar include armed conflict across much of the country. Opposition to the junta has swept up several ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) and led to the post-coup formation of People’s Defence Force (PDF) militias. One such EAO, the Arakan National Council and Arakan Army (ANC/AA), has clashed several times with the Myanmar military in Kayin State, where the Arakanese ethnic armed group is based. DMG recently spoke to ANC/AA leader Colonel Min Tun about his views on federalism, politics and conflict in Myanmar. 

DMG: Please explain the current military and political situation of the ANC/AA. 

Colonel Min Tun: The political and military situation of the ANC/AA is in line with our goal of national equality and self-determination. On the ground, there are clashes between us and the Myanmar military in the allied territory. 

DMG: The junta has said it will practice federalism. The National Unity Government (NUG), ethnic armed organisations including the ANC, and the People’s Defence Force have said they will practice federalism. Although the paths are generally the same, what are the differences? 

Col. Min Tun: In practice, there are significant differences. What has happened throughout history is that the Burmans believe that federalism is separatism. The Burmans see the non-Burman ethnic groups as demanding their secession from the Union because of their narrow political ideology. 

DMG: What kind of federalism does the ANC/AA want? 

Col. Min Tun: Federalism, as we say with the majority of non-Burman ethnic groups, is based on national states. If we do not have the right to national equality, we have the right to self-determination and the right to secede.  

In the past, the NLD [National League for Democracy] paved the way for a federal democratic union. Democracy is important to the NLD, so [the NLD said that Myanmar] will practise federalism only after the implementation of democracy. The view of most non-Burman ethnic groups is that federalism and democracy are two sides of the same coin; they have to be implemented at the same time.  

In our view, federalism is the key and this is the difference between the ANC and the NLD. The Myanmar military, meanwhile, has not set a path that will inevitably lead to the establishment of federal democracy.  

DMG: The Myanmar military intends to use the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement as its roadmap in the peace process. If the ANC/AA engages in peace talks, what will your group’s approach be?  

Col. Min Tun: The Myanmar military has no reason to invite the ANC/AA for further peace talks. The Myanmar military is outraged by the ANC/AA’s strong criticism of the NCA not being signed [by several EAOs]. The Myanmar military has said it will have no further talks with the ANC/AA under the NCA. However, politics is hard to predict. It may change depending on the situation. But in essence, the military will follow the NCA route. If the ANC/AA is involved, it will not matter if it goes with the same principles as the NCA. The NCA, in practice, has nothing to do with substance.  

DMG: What do you think about the federalism that the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) and NUG are working on? 

Col. Min Tun: We are also concerned that the public may confuse the NUCC and NUG. NUCC is not NUG. The NUG is composed of representatives from the NLD. The NUCC is a coalition of non-parliamentary CSOs [civil society organisations], EAOs and parliamentary forces that won the 2020 election in Myanmar. 

The ANC/AA is not included in either the NUCC or the NUG. We attended the first-ever NUCC conference as an observer. It is not surprising that the basic principles of federalism were agreed upon at the NUCC conference. These are principles that have been negotiated among ethnic armed groups in the past. I can say that I agree with the principle. But I don’t know which organisations are involved. Who is leading?  

DMG: What do you want to say to people about the current state of Arakan politics? 

Col. Min Tun: What we see among the Arakanese people now is not politics. What we see among the people is that they have nothing to do with Myanmar’s politics. Given the political situation in Myanmar, it can be said that it does not concern the Arakanese people. But in reality, we may not involve ourselves in Myanmar politics, but we will still be involved. 

For now, we need to choose the right path. What we see now is that there is peace in some parts of Arakan State. Gambling and traditional zat pwe events are taking place in rural parts of Arakan State. Virus [Covid-19] infections are on the rise amid an informal ceasefire between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State. The Myanmar military is focusing on the NUG and NLD for the time being, and will pay attention to Arakan State later. Therefore, I would like to say that we as a society need to be very careful, unify, and prepare a lot politically and militarily.