Myanmar military urges anti-coup forces to give up struggle and join talks

Surprise call comes with the generals, who seized power in 2021, under major pressure from their opponents.

Myanmar’s military coup leaders have urged their opponents to put down their weapons and start political dialogue, in a surprise move that was swiftly rejected.

The State Administration Council (SAC), as the military has styled itself since seizing power in February 2021, urged the ethnic armed groups and People’s Defence Forces (PDF) fighting against military rule to give up what it described as the “terrorist way” and start political dialogue.

The armed groups have taken control of swathes of the country since combining forces to launch a major offensive in October last year, putting the military under immense pressure.

“Ethnic armed organizations and PDF terrorists fighting against the State are invited to contact the State to resolve the political issues through party politics or electoral processes in order to be able to join hands with the people to emphasize durable peace and development by discarding the armed terrorist way,” the SAC said in a statement published in Friday’s edition of the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar.

The National Unity Government (NUG), which includes elected lawmakers removed in the coup, swiftly dismissed the offer.