Under the searing summer heat, people find little relief in localized rains that seemed to further intensify the hot weather. Meanwhile people living in battlefield are suffering from the consequences of war, the people where fighting erupts face shortage of water and food and lack of electricity. The lives of Myanmar people are like the boats without paddles and they just have to sail on through these uncertainties

 

ASEAN special envoy visits Myanmar

 

The ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar, Alounkeo Kittikhoun appointed by current chairman of ASEAN, visited Myanmar on 15 May. During his trip, he met with the chief-in-commander Min Aung Hlaing. The SAC stated that they discussed ways to solve the current situation peacefully and the ASEAN’s willingness to help Myanmar.

The ASEAN special envoy visited Myanmar for the first time on 10 January and met with military leaders, NCA signatories and registered political parties.

His did not make any request to meet with former State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. However, he held an online discussion with leaders of the National Unity Government.

 

Chief of staff of KIA passes away

 

The chief of staff of Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Lieutenant General Hkawng Lum, died due to liver disease on 13 May in Laiza.  He was 62 years old.

Lieutenant General Hkawng Lum was a person skilled in military affairs and he was promoted to deputy chief of staff to chief of staff in early 2023. He was also in charge of chief commander for No.1 region of the National Unity Government (NUG) area. His funeral was held on 15 May.

 

Japan vice-minister for foreign affairs meets with K3C

 

The Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Komura Masahiro met with Karen National Union (KNU), Karenni National Progress Party (KNPP) and Chin National Front (CNF) on 14 May.

According to Japan Foreign Affairs ministry, they discussed about humanitarian assistance. However, the ethnic armed groups did not disclose anything about that meeting.

 

The SAC discussed with Northern Alliance for 5th time

 

With the facilitation of China, representatives of the junta and the three organizations under the Northern Alliance met in Kunming for the 5th time. Some analysts said the meeting, which started on 12 May, might not bring any change to the Hai Gin agreement.

The junta sent Lt. Gen. Myo Thant Naing, a judge advocate general instead of chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee, Lt. Gen. Tun Tun Naing.

The representatives from Northern Brotherhood Alliance was still the same and some analysts said they discussed the possibility of restarting border trade, land problems and affairs of Arakan Army ( AA) and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

 

Gold and dollar prices have increased rapidly

 

The prices of gold and US dollar gradually increased since the beginning of the military takeover and reached its peak on 16 May. The market price of one tical of gold increased to 50 lakhs and one USD is equivalent to over 4,000 MMKs.

The Yangon Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association (YGEA) standardizes the price of gold at around 40 lakhs. Due to rapid rise of gold and dollar prices, the trade almost stopped at the market.