18 April 2026 By Hlaing
MYANMAR (Shadow Government HQ) — The National Unity Government (NUG) has characterized the release of President Win Myint as a “revolutionary victory” achieved through sustained domestic and international pressure, rather than a gesture of goodwill from the military junta.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NUG reaffirmed its commitment to the revolution, following the Burmese New Year amnesty that saw the country’s democratically elected President walk free after five years in detention.
While the President’s return to his family has been celebrated by the public, political analysts and NUG officials warn that the move is a tactical play by the junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing.
“This is classic ‘hostage politics’ by the military,” a local political analyst told MPA. “Every time they face a strategic crisis or international isolation, they release a high-profile figure to buy time. They are attempting to ease pressure from ASEAN and the UN, hoping to regain their seat on the world stage by presenting a facade of de-escalation.”
The NUG emphasized that it continues to uphold the results of the 2020 General Election as the only legitimate democratic mandate. The shadow government stated that both President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi remain the true leaders of the nation in the eyes of the people.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains in custody, and the NUG maintains that the unconditional release of all political prisoners remains a non-negotiable objective of the revolution.
The NUG also highlighted its “Six Common Positions,” which serve as a strategic signal to both the junta and the international community. Central to this roadmap is the total removal of the military from Myanmar’s political sphere and the permanent abolition of the military-drafted 2008 Constitution.
“Seeing our President released brings great joy to the people, but we do not believe our revolution is over,” said a civil servant participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). “We are not just fighting for the freedom of one individual; we are fighting to uproot the entire system of military dictatorship.”
The latest political developments come at a time when the alliance between the NUG and various Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) appears more solidified than ever. As they work toward building a new Federal Democratic Union, analysts warn that the public must remain vigilant against junta efforts to sow discord within the resistance.
As the military prepares to entrench its power through its own “new government” structure, the NUG has vowed to march forward until the goal of systemic change is achieved, driven by the mandate of the people’s will.
