Independence Day Message: Acting President sent message to 78th Independence Day

The Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General ThadoeMahaThraySithu and ThadoeThiriThudhamma Min Aung Hlaing sent a message on the occasion of 78th Anniversary Independence Day which falls on 4th January 2026.

In the message, the Acting President and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General, extended greetings to all national brethren for physical and mental wellbeing, happiness, and prosperity. The Acting President stated that various ethnic nationalities have been residing together in the Union since ancient times while sharing both joys and hardships.

Myanmar stands tall among the world nations as the Union taking pride on its unique culture, traditions, languages, and beliefs. Due to the pervasive evil of colonialism worldwide, Myanmar suffered three invasions by British colonialists and lost its national independence and sovereignty in 1885.

All economic resources of the country were seized by capitalist colonialists and fascists, who ruled and oppressed Myanmar people who suffered numerous hardships and extreme poverty under the servitude. For anti-colonialism and national liberation, the entire ethnic people fought at great cost of life and blood, eventually regained the national independence on 4th January 1948. Since after regaining the national independence, successive governments have made various efforts to end the armed conflicts due to the divide-and-rule policy of the colonialists.

Because of ethnic prejudice, ideological bias, selfishness, and prioritizing personal interests, the country has experienced armed conflicts and terrorist attacks, leading to the destruction of state-owned infrastructure and the loss of lives and property of ethnic people. Demanding the unreasonable by taking up arms, clinging to the armed path, and prioritizing their own desires with great ethnic and regional bias only serve to deepen the poverty of local people.

It must be noted that the current differences in views and political problems could harm the long-lasting stability of the Union and ethnic unity. Today, it is well known that domestic and foreign destructive groups, who do not wish for ethnic unity and national development, are using various methods to cause disturbances through multiple means.

Today, the genuine need of the country is the cessation of the armed conflicts and eternal peace nationwide. Peace is a concept deeper than the mere absence of conflict; it is based on resolving problems peacefully, respecting the differences, and mutual understanding and tolerance.

Misguided perceptions within the Union are damaging peace, so all stakeholders in the Union peace process need to participate positively. Only with a genuine desire for peace, a willingness to negotiate peacefully, mutual understanding and trust, transparency, and patience can be built genuine, lasting peace.

For the benefit of the country, it is necessary to collectively strengthen the political culture of negotiation and dialogue. The Acting President urged the entire ethnic people with firm determination and unity, to cooperate and implement four national objectives of 78th Anniversary Independence Day: Non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity, and perpetuation of sovereignty are the most essential and appropriate national aspirations and national duties, requiring all citizens to preserve and safeguard them.

To strive for national solidarity and union peace in order to achieve sustainable, balanced development. To fully implement a genuine, disciplined multi-party democracy system by utilizing freedom and justice in accordance with laws, rules, and regulations. To promote Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) based on regional natural products and to develop other economic sectors.