22 April 2026 By Ko Myo
YANGON, Myanmar — Groups representing thousands of striking civil servants in Myanmar have formally reaffirmed their recognition of Win Myint as the nation’s sole legitimate President, following his release from junta custody last week.
The Independent Council of CDM State Employees (ICCSO) issued a statement late Tuesday titled “Congratulatory Message to President Win Myint,” welcoming his return to his family while insisting that his legal standing as the democratically elected head of state remains unchanged despite years of imprisonment.
The ICCSO’s endorsement highlights a broader sentiment among the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)—the vast network of government workers who went on strike to oppose the 2021 military coup. Activists pointed to the President’s refusal to sign a resignation letter during the initial hours of the coup as a defining moment of political integrity.
“The President proved he was the right choice for the people,” a CDM teacher from Yangon told MPA. “He refused to sign the resignation under duress in 2021, and we understand he also refused to sign conditions for his release under Article 401. By not signing, he demonstrated that he was an innocent man wrongfully detained.”
President Win Myint was released on April 17, the first day of the traditional Buddhist New Year, as part of a mass amnesty of over 4,000 prisoners. While his release has brought joy to his supporters, it has not signaled a full restoration of his freedoms.
Reports from Naypyidaw indicate that the President is currently residing with his family under heavy military surveillance. Sources say that anyone attempting to visit him must undergo rigorous security checks by junta forces stationed around his residence.
The declaration of loyalty from eight separate CDM civil servant councils serves as a significant symbolic blow to the military junta, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. The junta recently formed what it calls a “new government,” with the Senior General assuming the title of “President”—a move the CDM groups dismiss as a “sham.”
“Our loyalty remains with the leader chosen by the people’s vote,” the ICCSO statement added.
The political deadlock in Myanmar continues as the resistance movement enters its sixth year. For the striking workers who have sacrificed their careers and livelihoods, the figure of Win Myint—and his refusal to capitulate to military demands—remains a cornerstone of their demand for a return to constitutional democracy.
