76th Anniversary of Union Day: SAC Chairman sends message on February 12

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing sent a message on the occasion of the 76th Anniversary of Union Day falling on the 12th of February 2023.

In his message, the Senior General wishes all ethnic national brethren of the Union who have been living in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar together physical and mental happiness and prosperity. And the message reads that as capitalist invaders severally waged aggressive wars over Myanmar, the whole country of Myanmar fell under colonialist British as of 1886.

The colonialists raised the administrative power to the mainland under the Government of Burma Act in 1935, it left the hilly regions in order to separately govern the hilly regions and the mainland. British Governor Sir Dorman-Smith released the White Paper on 17 May 1945, mentioning that independence shall be granted for the mainland but the hilly region shall be placed under British rule.

General Aung San held meetings with national leaders in Panglong in 1946 and unanimously demanded to grant independence for both hilly regions and the mainland together without absolutely accepting the White Paper.

On 12 February 1947, a total of 23 ethnic leaders including General Aung San signed the Panglong Agreement comprising nine unification points for hilly regions and the mainland as part of laying the cornerstones to forge the national unity between the hilly regions and the mainland.

Hence, the government recognized and designated 12 February as Union Day when the Panglong Agreement in which the unity of ethnic nationals conceived was signed. In accord with the motto “Unity is Victory”, entire ethnic people escaped from colonial rule on 4 January 1948, and the country regained independence as a sovereign country.

Only when all ethnic people of the Union are to safeguard the independence with the Union spirit in successive eras with the Union spirit, will it be perpetual.

The State Administration Council since its assumption of the State responsibilities in accord with the State Constitution (2008) has been emphasizing the ending of local armed conflicts for ensuring national unity and peace which are actual needs for the State.

It is striving for filling the basic needs and creation of situations in order to hold free and fair elections. Esteemed ethnic national brethren of the Union, Knowledge and genuine goodwill of all ethnic national people in the entire nation are crucial for building a new peaceful, tranquil, modern, developed democratic nation.

The Senior General also urged all ethnic national people to successfully implement the objectives of the 76th Anniversary of Union Day through the united strength with the Union spirit so as to enjoy the fruits of the Union.