SIF urges not to grant legitimacy to the military junta

The Strategic Initiative Forum (SIF) stated in a statement sent to the media on June 10 that it is a mechanism for cooperation among revolutionary political forces with common political goals, stances, and methods for eradicating dictatorships, including the military dictatorship, and for establishing federal democracy. In a statement released on July 10, SIF strongly urged the international community to stop recognizing the Myanmar military junta led by Min Aung Hlaing as a legitimate government and to halt the enhancement of diplomatic and economic relations. According to SIF, it respects and recognizes the stance of the United States, the European Union (EU), and some democratic countries that have stood by the people of Myanmar without recognizing the Myanmar military junta led by Min Aung Hlaing as a legitimate government since the coup on February 1, 2021. It also stated that it recognizes the efforts of ASEAN to stand by the people of Myanmar by not allowing Min Aung Hlaing to attend summit meetings. However, SIF strongly condemned in its statement the fact that some neighboring countries and the international community are enhancing political, diplomatic, and economic relations with Min Aung Hlaing as the leader of a transitional government that emerged after sham elections. SIF stated that these actions do not resolve the political crisis faced by the people of Myanmar but rather make the crisis more complex and difficult. SIF pointed out that inviting Min Aung Hlaing on state visits, treating him equally with national leaders for discussions, and visits by UN and ASEAN representatives and foreign ministerial-level diplomats to Naypyidaw are injecting undeserved political legitimacy into the coup-making Myanmar military junta. The statement also stated that the Myanmar military junta has not only usurped political power illegally but is also misusing the country's natural resources, public property, and national funds. It also stated that the military junta continues to commit human rights violations and war crimes, including arbitrary arrests, torture of civilians, and aerial bombardment of towns and villages. While some international communities and regional organizations interpret Min Aung Hlaing's "peace calls" as positive steps, SIF stated that on the ground, intentional attacks on civilians, aerial attacks, artillery shelling, and violent repression continue. Regarding the military situation, SIF stated in its statement that although the Myanmar military junta is forcibly conscripting young people under the illegal conscription law, it is facing its greatest military defeats due to Operation 1027 and subsequent offensives. SIF stated that although some cities have been recaptured with external assistance, they are only a small fraction compared to the territories controlled by the revolutionary forces, and therefore, analyses that the Myanmar military junta has gained military superiority are inconsistent with the ground situation. From SIF's perspective, the main culprit of all the current political, military, and humanitarian crises in Myanmar is solely the Myanmar military junta led by Min Aung Hlaing, and it is necessary to further isolate the Myanmar military junta politically, diplomatically, and economically to bring about lasting peace, a federal democratic system, and genuine national reconciliation in Myanmar. Therefore, SIF has called on ASEAN, the United States, the European Union, and the international community to immediately cease any actions that grant political, diplomatic, and economic legitimacy to the fake government that will emerge from the Myanmar military junta's sham elections. Furthermore, it strongly urged them to continue to firmly stand by the people of Myanmar and democratic forces in respect of the people's sovereignty. Reference - Strategic Initiative Forum (SIF) Source: Mizzima (Burmese)