All Ethnic Groups Urged to Serve National Interest in Unity

January 04, 2026

People must exercise their freedom and seek justice in accordance with the law, while a fully functional, rule-abiding multiparty democratic system is effectively implemented.

Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing sent a message to the ceremony to mark the 78th Anniversary of Independence Day 2026. The full text of the translated message is as follows: –

 

Esteemed national brethren born in the Union,

I extend my greetings and offer my best wishes that all people and all ethnic nationalities may enjoy good health and happiness physically and mentally, and be fully endowed with dignity, prosperity, and all auspicious blessings on the occasion of the 78th Anniversary of Independence Day of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, which falls on 4 January 2026.

Myanmar is a Union with a long-standing tradition in which diverse ethnic nationalities have lived together in solidarity, sharing both hardships and joys, since time immemorial. With their own distinct cultures, traditions, languages, and beliefs, they have been standing tall in the world with unity and dignity.

As a result of the evil colonial system that came to dominate the world, Myanmar was invaded three times by the British colonialists and, in 1885, lost its independence and sovereignty. All of the country’s economic resources were seized by capitalist imperialists and fascists, who ruled through various forms of oppression, causing the people of Myanmar to fall into a state of servitude and suffer manifold hardships and deep poverty.

As the entire ethnic population of Myanmar fought bravely, shedding their blood and sweat in the struggle against colonialism for national independence, Myanmar regained its independence on 4 January 1948. Since then, Myanmar has been standing tall in the world as an independent and sovereign nation, and today marks the 78th anniversary of that achievement.

For over a century, Myanmar’s people fought arduously to reclaim their country as an independent and sovereign nation, escape from the control of other nations, and be able to make their own decisions on all national matters. The hard-won independence, achieved after such a long struggle, can still be lost in an instant if misguided ideas, beliefs, or actions prevail – something we must remain vigilant about in the present time.

 

Esteemed national brethren born in the Union,

Successive governments have made various efforts over time to cease the armed struggle that emerged as a result of colonialists’ divisive rule. However, due to ethnic extremism, ideological rigidity, self-interest, and prioritizing personal gain, the nation has suffered armed conflicts and violent attacks, destroying state infrastructure and the loss of homes and lives of ethnic communities. When armed groups demand things that should not be demanded, manipulate armed struggle for their own agendas, or prioritize their own desires based on ethnic or regional loyalties, they are effectively pushing their local communities further into poverty. The current divisions in attitudes and ongoing political problems pose risks to the long-term stability of the Union and the unity of the ethnic nationalities, which is why careful attention and vigilance are required.

At present, it is well known that domestic and foreign disruptive groups, who do not wish to see the ethnic communities united and the country develop, are employing various methods to create obstacles and disturbances.

A strength of the nation lies within; the nation can only stand as a strong and resilient State that serves the national interest if all ethnic nationalities of the Union act united, closely coordinated, and with a shared sense of purpose, just as “water blends without separation”.

Therefore, I would like to urge all ethnic communities to seriously embrace, as a national goal and responsibility, what is most necessary and appropriate for ensuring the long-term survival of freedom: Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty. They should steadfastly uphold and protect these principles based on a spirit of Union.

 

Esteemed national brethren born in the Union,

At present, the most pressing need of our country is to end armed conflicts and achieve a durable peace throughout the nation. True peace goes beyond the mere absence of conflict; it is founded on the ability to resolve problems peacefully, respect differences, and show understanding, patience, and tolerance toward one another. Only by genuinely embracing and practising the principles of peace and the value of national unity can the people fully experience the fruits of peace and well-being.

The peaceful coexistence depends on each individual’s intellectual maturity, thoughtful judgment, and capacity for respect and appreciation of values. Therefore, every citizen should begin from their own place of learning, cultivating and practising knowledge, education, and thoughtful reasoning, to nurture a spirit of peace and national unity.

Since misguided ideas and beliefs continue to undermine peace within the Union, all parties involved in Union peace processes must participate with goodwill. Genuine and enduring peace can only be built when there is a genuine desire for peace, peaceful negotiation, mutual understanding and trust, transparency, patience, and tolerance. It is also essential to collectively strengthen a political culture of dialogue and negotiation when acting in the interest of the nation.

It has been observed that the greatest losses and damage caused by armed conflicts and violent disturbances occur primarily in less-developed regions and states. When there is stability and peace, regional development can take place. Only with internal peace and stability can the country develop in a balanced way – not only in political, economic, and social sectors at the national level but also across all regions and states.

Myanmar is endowed with natural resources and also has fertile land and good water sources suitable for agriculture and livestock activities. Therefore, once stability and peace are achieved, even rural areas in historically underdeveloped regions will be able to develop over time. Considering the plight of local communities in these underdeveloped regions caused by a lack of peace, it is necessary for all relevant parties to come together with support and compassion to assist and promote their development.

All stakeholders must respect and adhere to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in full, and work together cooperatively as committed under its provisions for the peace and prosperity of the State, global standing, and ensuring a durable peace that the entire population desires.

As such, I would like to urge all to strive for national unity and peace of the Union in order to initiate long-term stability and harmonized development.

 

Esteemed national brethren born in the Union,

Due to vote irregularities in the general election 2020, Tatmadaw temporarily took the State responsibolities by declaring the state of emergency under the Constitution (2008), starting from 1 February 2021. During its tenure, Tatmadaw has adopted objectives and roadmaps to ensure peace and stability of the Union, rule of law, and development of economic, social, education and other sectors. The Union Election Commission has been reconstituted with strenuous efforts to systematically hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general election, including carrying out of checking voter lists.

The population and household census was enumerated nationwide from 1 to 15 October 2024, with emphasis placed on the compilation of the voter list in order to ensure the correct voter list in the forthcoming multiparty democratic general election. The Law on the Protection of Multiparty Democratic General Elections from Obstruction, Disruption, and Destruction was enacted on 29 July 2025.

Phase I of the multiparty democratic general election was held on 28 December 2025 successfully. Moreover, Phase II of the election will be held on 11 January this year and Phase III on the designated date. The Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine (MEVM) is used in the election to fully ensure the secrecy of voters’ ballots in the election.

A combination of the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system and the Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) system will be used to ensure fairness, high voter representation, and stable, inclusive governance. The government that emerges from the election results will assume the responsibilities of the state in accordance with democratic standards.

To implement the wishes and aspirations of ethnic groups through democratic means, ethnic representatives must be fully and fairly represented in the Hluttaw. Only then can the needs and goals of each group be openly discussed, collectively decided, and properly realized. National brethren must also be able to choose individuals who truly serve their interests, respect their ethnicity and region, and consider the national good. In exercising freedom and justice, citizens should vote thoughtfully and lawfully, in accordance with laws, rules, and regulations, and practise consideration and fairness, thereby nurturing and strengthening the democratic system.

Thus, with a focus on the long-term national interests of the country and through the participation of the people, I would like to urge all to exercise freedom and justice in accordance with laws, rules, and regulations, and that a fully functional, rule-abiding multiparty democratic system be fully implemented.

 

Esteemed national brethren born in the Union,

National development depends on the growth of the country’s economic infrastructure. Efforts are being made to support and promote local income generation through micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Based on locally produced raw materials, MSME businesses are effectively supported in production, trade, and services to ensure domestic consumption security, substitute imports, and export to foreign markets. In promoting the economy, production capacity is crucial, as it allows goods to be sold and commercialized. Therefore, to encourage production, actions are being carried out under the slogan: “Let us encourage production for the prosperity of the Nation”.

Similarly, as part of government efforts, measures are being strengthened to further develop MSME businesses and better connect them to international markets. This includes the use of technology, digital marketplaces and communication, collaboration between government and the private sector, as well as enhanced access to loans and technical support.

Domestic products should primarily be produced to ensure food security within the country, and through this, value-added products can be exported abroad, thereby giving emphasis to enhancing the nation’s export sector.

By implementing the One Region-One Product (OROP) project, each region will utilize its locally available natural resources and modern techniques to develop the nation’s production sector and increase the output of products that can substitute imported goods.

Only then can intellectuals and intelligentsia build the nation for its development. Hence, the government is implementing the free education system and the comprehensive education system to enable every citizen to have the learning opportunity for completion of at least KG+9 school education. The government appoints more and more teachers and supplies the needs of school buildings, libraries, teaching aids, water purifiers and sports grounds. A total of industrial, agricultural, and livestock basic education high schools have been established to enable those who have passed the KG+9 education to learn vocational courses as part of turning out human resources. As such, I would like to urge everyone to support regular school attendance for school-age children, prevent premature student dropouts, and promote continuous learning to the highest levels, so that they can be trained, nurtured, and developed into skilled professionals, scholars, and experts.

For the health and fitness of every citizen, efforts are being made to ensure disease prevention, provide high-quality medical treatment when illnesses occur, and adequately staff hospitals with healthcare personnel in accordance with the policy that “every hospital must have doctors”. Just as education is essential for all humans, healthcare is equally important. It is necessary for everyone to live a healthy life by practising good habits and for authorities to continue improving healthcare services, including medical treatment, preventive care, and health education.

 

Esteemed national brethren born in the Union,

As the government has adopted four national objectives of the 78th Anniversary of Independence Day 2026 as follows: –

– To safeguard the non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty by all citizens, as they are the most essential and suitable national objectives and national duties,

– To strive forward for national unity and Union peace to implement sustainable and balanced development

– To establish a genuine, disciplined democratic system completely by exercising the freedom and justice in accordance with the laws and regulations

– To advance other economic sectors and promote MSMEs based on regional products

I sent a message that the entire ethnic people have to implement these four national objectives in unity and harmony with a firm vow from their respective sectors.

 

Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu

Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing

Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar

Chairman, State Security and Peace Commission