INDIVIDUALS who incited violence within the country and fled abroad have unlawfully formed the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) and the National Unity Government (NUG) and also established groups under the name of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) to pursue armed insurgency and carry out attacks against the State.

The CRPH and NUG issued contradictory statements without any solid political stance. CRPH declared the abolition of the 2008 Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and formed the NUG.

The 2020 multiparty general election was conducted in accordance with the 2008 Constitution, and subsequent actions have been carried out in line with the constitutional provisions related to states of emergency. If, as declared by CRPH, the 2008 Constitution has been abolished, then their status as members of parliament would automatically become invalid, and the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw would cease to exist, and the formation of the NUG would not be possible.

On the other hand, CRPH and NUG claim to be the legitimate government elected by the people. Such a claim implies recognition of the 2008 Constitution. If the Constitution no longer exists, then neither do they. If they claim to exist legitimately, they seem to recognize the 2008 Constitution. Therefore, CRPH and NUG are acting inconsistently without a clear direction.

Those who formed the NUG, claiming to be the elected government, have already exceeded their term according to the 2008 Constitution. Regardless of their claims to legitimacy, if the Constitution has been abolished, they become invalid entities; if the Constitution remains, they are organizations whose terms have expired. Their true colour has become evident.

Now, the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Central Committee has invited the ethnic armed organizations to engage in open-ended peace dialogues to end armed conflicts and resolve political issues through political means. Therefore, it is time for the various groups operating under the name of PDF to reconsider their path. These groups are urged to return to the legal fold as soon as possible in pursuance of the invitation extended by the government.

MNA