16 April 2026 By Ko Myo
MYANMAR (Shadow Government HQ) — Duwa Lashi La, the Acting President of the National Unity Government (NUG), has marked the fifth anniversary of the shadow administration’s founding by praising a “historic unity” among Myanmar’s diverse ethnic groups as the revolution’s greatest strength.
In a keynote address delivered on Thursday, April 16, 2026, the Acting President noted that while decades of military-enforced division had fractured Myanmar’s society, the “Spring Revolution” had succeeded in bringing people together with an unprecedented singleness of purpose.
The Acting President highlighted the critical role played by established Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) in bolstering the capabilities of the People’s Defence Forces (PDF).
“Our revolution has combined non-violent resistance with the people’s armed struggle,” Duwa Lashi La said. “The practical assistance provided by our ethnic allies has allowed our PDF fighters to achieve significant military proficiency in a very short period. This collaboration is the bedrock upon which we will build a future Federal Army.”
While celebrating the resistance’s gains, the Acting President offered a candid assessment of the movement’s challenges. He admitted that limited resources and a lack of combat experience in the early stages had led to tactical setbacks and lost territory.
“We have had successes that were never before seen in our revolutionary history, but we have also faced failures due to our own weaknesses,” he stated. “I want to be honest with the public: there are still many hurdles we are struggling to overcome. We are learning from our mistakes every day to make this revolution more effective.”
Duwa Lashi La pointed to the formation of the Steering Council for the Emergence of a Federal Democratic Union (SCEF) on March 30, 2026, as a symbol of this renewed unity. The council, which initially includes the KIO, KNU, KNPP, CNF, CRPH, and NUG, is intended to serve as a unified political and military front.
“This is only the beginning,” he added. “We will continue to work tirelessly to bring in those revolutionary groups that have not yet joined the SCEF. Unity is the master key to our victory.”
Overcoming Distrust The Acting President acknowledged that historical distrust and the influence of neighbouring countries remain barriers to total unification. However, he urged all resistance forces to avoid “blame games” and to remain vigilant against those attempting to sabotage the revolution’s momentum.
“We must focus on practical cooperation,” he concluded. “Despite the obstacles, our shared goal will eventually lead us to a solid and unbreakable unity.”
As the conflict enters its sixth year, the NUG leadership appears to be shifting its focus toward formalising its alliances, transitioning from a fragmented guerrilla war into a more structured political and military entity capable of governing a post-junta Myanmar.
