Peace and reconciliation efforts in Myanmar

State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint are currently under house arrest, and many pro-democracy activists have been arrested or killed. The political opposition led by the National Unity Government – the shadow government – are working strategically to build an internal united front against the military regime. The people’s will to resist is strong. Hundreds of armed resistance groups have been formed to counter the brutality of the military regime and have been carrying out attacks on regime targets. In addition, the more than 50-year conflict between the military and many of the ethnic armed groups is continuing. The hostilities are at their highest level in several decades.

The political situation in Myanmar is deadlocked. The military regime shows no signs of stepping aside and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has demonstrated no willingness to resolve the conflict through dialogue. Humanitarian needs are increasing, and it is extremely difficult to get humanitarian aid into the country.

In the current, complex conflict situation, Norway is working strategically to build a stable and democratic Myanmar for the future. We are maintaining close cooperation and dialogue with our partners on the ground and in the international arena, with a view to galvanising support for processes that can bring all parties to the negotiating table. Norway’s willingness to talk to all parties in a conflict is a hallmark of our peace and reconciliation work, and this policy will remain unchanged. Norway also works actively to keep Myanmar on the Security Council’s agenda and we fully support ASEAN’s mandate and UN efforts to promote political dialogue and humanitarian access to the country.