Myanmar Ethnic Army Vows to Block Junta’s December Elections

AA info desk

One of Myanmar’s most powerful ethnic militias has declared it will prevent elections from taking place in the territory it controls, dealing a blow to the military junta’s plan to restore legitimacy through a nationwide vote.

The Arakan Army (AA), which holds sway over most of western Rakhine state, announced on Monday that it would not permit polling in 14 of the region’s 17 townships. The group’s spokesman, Khaing Thu Kha, said the elections lacked public support and would only “create more confusion” for local communities.

The junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup, recently lifted the state of emergency and proposed elections for December. However, opposition parties, including ousted lawmakers, have pledged to boycott the vote. A UN expert has labelled the process a “fraud” aimed at legitimising military rule.

The AA had previously maintained a truce with the junta but joined a coordinated offensive with other ethnic forces in late 2023, inflicting significant territorial losses on the regime. In response, the military launched air strikes and imposed a blockade on Rakhine, where over half a million people are now displaced.

Despite the junta’s claim that emergency measures remain in place to ensure “stability and rule of law,” the AA’s rejection of the election underscores the deepening crisis. With much of the country still engulfed in conflict, the prospect of a credible national vote appears increasingly remote.

The AA’s stance reflects broader resistance among ethnic and pro-democracy groups, many of whom view the junta’s electoral push as a smokescreen for continued authoritarian control. As tensions rise, international observers warn that any attempt to hold elections without consensus risks further destabilising the region.

-2025-08-12