2nd Anniversary of the Declaration of People's Defensive War

More than 300 PDF battalions operate in three military regions together with our allied ethnic revolutionary forces. We share a common fight for a federal democratic union. In their respective territories, many ethnic partners provide administrative, public and judicial services.

The capacity of our revolutionary forces to manufacture weapons and ammunition has proved an important turning point. Our success is apparent in battle results. Our revolutionary soldiers have even been able to make the junta feel insecure in its presumed safe haven of Nay Pyi Taw. It is becoming evident that the terrorist Min Aung Hlaing and his clique are collapsing and failing in the military, diplomatic and economic domains.

We will always honour in our hearts and minds those who have sacrificed their lives, those who have paid with their limbs, those who are enduring junta detention, and our resistance heroes including Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) members who have defied the junta.

Fundraising and effective use of funds is a lifeblood of the revolution. I express my heartfelt appreciation to the many organizations and individuals raising funds for the revolution. Their contribution is vital.

As our resistance strengthens in momentum, the National Unity Government continues to garner important international legitimacy. Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, represents our nation and the National Unity Government and continues to speak with the voice of the people. The illegal junta has been excluded from ASEAN and denied recognition by the international community. Timor-Leste’s principled stance on Myanmar will be recorded in our people’s history.

Continuing military, political, strategic and financial cooperation between the National Unity Government and allied ethnic armed forces is strengthening understanding and trust. We rely on the valuable military training and provision of weapons from ethnic armed organizations. We are holding detailed discussions on the construction of the future federal democracy.

I express my sincere gratitude to the National Unity Government’s Ministers, Deputy Ministers and staff at all levels who are carrying out the revolutionary tasks given to them by the people. I thank them for their bold decision-making. Our duty as a government is to provide services to the public. We must pay attention and constantly listen to the people's voices. We must continue to strengthen our operations and levels of organization.

I would like to urge the soldiers who are under the People’s Administration Organization (PAO), PDF and the legal sector to listen intently to the voices of the people. Our governance mechanisms must best serve the people. We must be ever mindful that we are servants of the public and we must never harm or burden the people. I repeat my gratitude to our comrades fighting relentlessly on the frontlines. I thank you for your bravery and sacrifices.

Our revolution, which began as an uprising against injustice armed with sticks, knives and hammers, has equipped many battalions with weapons for more than two years. Our territorial control has greatly expanded. These successes are due to the committed work of our comrades and the support of the public. Our government prioritizes the supply of weapons and ammunition to our forces. We will overcome challenges and address needs.

I make a special appeal to the Local Defence Forces (LDF) to join our PDF and allies in building a “mass force” and implementing an offensive against the military junta. We must be unified. It is vitally important to have an orderly chain of command. I appeal to everyone to unite under one chain of command to achieve our revolutionary victory. I remind revolutionary soldiers to always adhere to the military Code of Conduct on the battlefield.

I send a strong warning to all parts of the revolution that we cannot think or act like military dictators, when we ourselves oppose an attempted military dictatorship. Dictatorial behaviours must be prohibited.

The goal of our revolution is to permanently abolish all tyranny, including the military junta, and to build a federal democratic state. I strongly urge all of us to join hands and to fight together to achieve this goal. In the revolutionary journey that we will continue to walk, many challenges and hardships will be faced. Through the power of the people and a strong belief in the revolution, we will reach the desired ultimate goal. If we fight together in unity, the military junta will soon fall.

I call on the international community to support the swift success of the Spring Revolution. As at the end of August 2023, the terrorist military had killed 4,023 civilians and indiscriminately carried out more than 1,400 airstrikes against civilian villages, homes and religious buildings. It is blatantly committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. There must no longer be impunity from prosecution for these crimes.

I also call for the junta to be cut off from financial revenues and access to ammunition and jet fuel. The international community must continue to exclude the junta from participation in meetings and forums. There is no place for military dictators in today's world.

Due to the junta’s fatal attacks, civilians are on the run and numbers of displaced people are on the rise. Rohingya people and Rakhine people affected by Mocha Cyclone urgently need humanitarian aid. International aid is often not given to the people most in need. I strongly urge countries to stop providing aid through junta groups or groups that may not be effective on the ground, and to provide aid directly to the people who are suffering most on the ground.

We express our gratitude for ASEAN's serious efforts on Myanmar. The junta has not complied with the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. In the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, we encourage ASEAN to set a specific timeframe and effective implementation measures.

Our revolution is not only an armed struggle. Political and economic opposition to the military junta is also important. Peaceful demonstrations are ongoing despite the various difficulties and dangers in large cities. The military junta is attempting to distract and distance people from the revolution. We strongly urge the public to stay united and to ignore the junta’s ploys.

Our people are suffering from high commodity prices due to the junta’s reckless actions. The National Unity Government is seriously monitoring the economic difficulties we are all facing. We are fighting to solve this situation.

To secure our victory as soon as possible, I call on all people to support the revolution in whichever ways they can, and with all their abilities. I encourage the boycotting of military products and military-owned businesses, and the contribution of money or information to the revolution. We must end the junta through the power of the people.

I send a message to Min Aung Hlaing: stop using public funds to terrorize and kill people. And a message to the clique that is protecting his self-interest and destroying lives and property: stop being used as a tool, leave the military junta. Stand with dignity on the side of the truth. The people will never give Min Aung Hlaing power. They do not accept him.

Our revolution must hold firmly to the power of unity and the power of the people. If we want to permanently eliminate military dictatorship, we must recognize each other and build a united force together. Our common enemy must be clearly seen. As the saying goes, “when it is based on the power of the people, unity is the root of victory”.

Revolution Must Prevail!