Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and State Security and Peace Commission Chairman Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing sent a message to the ceremony to mark the 51st Anniversary of Rakhine State, which falls on 15 December 2025. The full text of the translated message is as follows: –
Esteemed national brethren in Rakhine State,
On the auspicious occasion of the 51st Anniversary of Rakhine State Day, which falls today, 15 December 2025, I extend my greetings and first offer my best wishes to all Rakhine national brethren residing in Rakhine State and in various regions, as well as to all Union-born ethnic national people across the country, wishing them complete physical and mental well-being and the fulfilment of all beneficial hopes and aspirations.
Rakhine State Day is a significant and prestigious occasion, rich in special significance, for the Union-born Rakhine ethnic people. Under the Constitution adopted in 1974, when regions and states were designated, Rakhine State was included as one of the states. In 1974, a nationwide referendum was held from 15 to 31 December 1973 to approve the Constitution. The Rakhine State People’s Council designated 15 December – the first day of that referendum – as Rakhine State Day. The Rakhine State Day ceremony, which is an auspicious occasion for all Rakhine ethnic people, has been observed annually with grandeur and enthusiasm, and it has now reached its 51st year.
Rakhine State is a state rich in cultural heritage and artistic works, together with the long ancient history of the Rakhine ethnic people. It is a region where the Buddha Sasana has flourished brightly, and, as expressed in the saying “Digits on clusters of orchid flowers is equal to Rakhine pagodas”, it is home to many historic ancient stupas and temples, making it a state abundant in cultural heritage.
Rakhine State is geographically located along the western coastal region and covers an area of 14,200 square miles. As it shares borders with neighbouring countries, it is an important state for the nation. With forests, mountains, rivers and streams, lush green woodlands, and a long and beautiful coastline, it is rich in land and water resources. It is also a proud and scenic state capable of producing valuable natural products.
Esteemed national brethren,
Currently, this is a period during which the National Defence and Security Council is exercising and carrying out the three branches of State power – legislative, executive, and judicial – in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Until a new government that emerges from a general election is formed, the National Defence and Security Council has also set four key objectives and is continuously implementing them, namely: promoting national economic development, improving the socioeconomic lives of the people, and enhancing the national education and health sectors.
The National Defence and Security Council has formed the National Peace and Security Commission, and at present it is proceeding, in line with the final point of the four objectives –“to implement multiparty democratic system, with the participation of the people, to ensure the success of multiparty democratic general election process and successfully moving towards with the multiparty democratic system aspired by the entire people” – to ensure the successful holding of elections.
To successfully hold the free and fair multiparty democratic general election earnestly desired by the people, to ensure that the rights of all eligible voters are not infringed, and to conduct a dignified general election that is systematic and in accordance with proper procedures, the election processes have already begun to be implemented transparently in line with the relevant laws and by-laws. As the multiparty democratic general election is to be held in phases starting from 28 December, the most essential requirement for its successful conduct is nationwide stability and peace. Therefore, it is urged that all ethnic national people work together with the Government, with a strong sense of national spirit, to collectively strive for and implement this objective.
Esteemed national brethren,
In promoting national economic development, efforts are being made to implement measures to advance sectors closely linked to the economy, including education, health, the rule of law, and transport and communications. In carrying out production activities, it is essential to ensure the growth and success of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which form the most fundamental base of the economy. If these enterprises can be integrated with technology and enabled to produce value-added products, greater benefits will be achieved, and the national economy will be strengthened. By comprehensively implementing agriculture- and livestock-based MSME activities that already have a foundation in Rakhine State, without leaving out even the most remote areas, the socioeconomic lives of ethnic national people will improve. Therefore, it is urged that regional and state governments, including Rakhine State, place strong emphasis on advancing the national economy.
For the development of Rakhine State, the Government has approved K10 billion in funding from the National Economic Development Fund to support the implementation of agricultural activities, livestock breeding, cooperative enterprises, and industrial and handicraft businesses. To date, these funds have been allocated to farmers, livestock breeders, cooperative societies, and industrial and handicraft operators, and implementation activities are already underway.
Promoting and advancing the agricultural and livestock sectors in Rakhine State in this manner will improve the socioeconomic lives of the predominantly rural population and enhance the country’s key production industries. Such efforts reflect the State’s goodwill toward Rakhine State and the Rakhine ethnic people, as well as the spirit of ethnic brotherhood, a genuine sense of patriotism, and a strong Union spirit.
The Government is implementing the education sector with the KG+9 as a compulsory education to nurture a fully developed, knowledgeable, and well-rounded human community. It is encouraged that within Rakhine State, efforts be prioritized to increase school enrolment rates for all school-age children, enhance students’ academic achievement, and raise promotion rates from one grade to the next.
In the future, to cultivate young people who are fully capable, well-rounded, and reliable not only for the state but also for the nation, a comprehensive education is essential. Equally indispensable is the development of knowledge, general understanding, and correct thinking and values. Therefore, it is urged that, across the entire country, efforts be jointly undertaken to successfully advance the education sector in line with its objectives.
Esteemed national brethren,
Rakhine State has faced numerous difficulties in all aspects of transportation and connectivity. However, due to the successive efforts of the government in prioritizing the development of Rakhine State, it is well recognized that the state has undergone significant improvements and progress compared to the past.
However, today, it can be observed that some powerful countries are seeking to exert influence over our nation’s geopolitically important territory, taking advantage of the lack of stability and peace within the country, including in Rakhine State, by fostering unrest and violent activities to create instability.
Since October 2023, the activities of armed terrorist groups such as the MNDAA, TNLA, and AA have further worsened the socioeconomic conditions of ethnic national communities. Many innocent civilians have suffered hardship and distress due to the destructive actions of these armed groups. The continuous armed attacks by these terrorists are politically motivated, carried out based on misguided ideas, and amount to nothing more than violent acts. It has been observed that, rather than advancing along the path of multiparty democracy and working together to build a strong Union, they prioritize pursuing their own separate agendas. They have also exploited and manipulated young people through drugs, drawing them into harsh conditions during conflicts. They should now understand that their demands cannot be met through armed terrorism and that conflicts can only be resolved peacefully through political dialogue at the negotiation table. Therefore, I would like to urge them to abandon armed struggle methods and return to the correct democratic path.
It has been observed that the regions and states most affected by armed conflicts are those with weaker development. These areas have long struggled to develop due to a lack of freedom and various historical and situational factors, and the ongoing armed conflicts have further worsened their conditions, leaving them in a state of extreme hardship, as if “hardship is piled by worsening problems”. Looking at countries around the world, it is evident that even remote rural areas achieve development when stability and peace are maintained.
Our country, Myanmar, is rich in natural resources and has fertile land and water suitable for agriculture and livestock breeding. Once stability and peace are achieved, even the historically underdeveloped areas, including rural regions, will inevitably experience development. Therefore, in consideration of the local people in underdeveloped regions who are suffering from poverty due to violent incidents, it is urged that everyone work together to maintain and promote stability and peace.
Esteemed national brethren,
All ethnic national people living in Myanmar are Union-born brethren who, for many centuries, have lived together in harmony, sharing the same land and water. At present, however, it is a critical time for everyone to reflect and act in the interest of their regions and the nation, rather than allowing domestic traitors or powerful foreign countries to exploit ethnic groups for their own benefits, bringing hardship to the people and destroying local development and resources without consideration. It is urged to be mindful that if ethnic groups remain divided, the nation’s strength will be weakened, and history will record them as people who had to follow the will of others.
Only by following the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) path for Union peace can we build the peaceful and prosperous nation that we all hope for. Achieving peace in our country can succeed only by meeting and negotiating through political means, based on the Union spirit, among national brethren, without foreign interference or domestic sabotage. The State also continues to invite dialogue, always keeping the door to peace open. As the saying goes, “The strength of the nation lies within,” it is urged that all ethnic national people work together in unity, collectively and harmoniously, to advance the national interest.
In Rakhine State, ethnic groups such as the Rakhine, Kaman, Khami, Daingnet, Maramagyi, Mro, and Thet live alongside other ethnic nationalities, including the Bamar and Chin. The peace and development of the state rely on the unity of all ethnic groups living there and on a strong Union spirit. The active cooperation and joint efforts of national brethren residing in Rakhine State toward peace and regional development foster stability and progress within the state and serve as a source of strength for the construction of the nation.
In conclusion, the foremost requirement for the successful conduct of the upcoming multiparty democratic general election in our country is regional security and stability. If all voters actively participate, the election process can be carried out successfully, and the multiparty democratic system, earnestly desired by the people, can advance smoothly and effectively. It is also hoped that the ethnic people of Rakhine State, guided by a Union spirit and a sense of patriotism, will act in the interest of the people of the state, the state itself, and the Union. With these wishes for enduring peace, happiness, and prosperity, I respectfully send my greetings in commemoration of the 51st Anniversary of Rakhine State Day.
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
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