Myanmar shadow government calls on US for more sanctions, increase funding for anti-junta forces

The shadow government in Myanmar has called on the United States to impose more sanctions on the junta that seized power two years ago in a coup that has since led to unrest. The shadow government has also urged for more funding for its pro-democracy forces.

Myanmar’s National Unity Government foreign minister Zin Mar Aung told Reuters Friday last week that Washington must impose more sanctions on the junta and provide more funding to pro-democracy forces in the country. Zin Mar Aung visited Washington last week and held meetings with Biden administration officials and lawmakers in Congress.

“We still need to get and to put the sanctions more and more,” said Zin Mar Aung, saying that the sanctions that were already placed on the junta were still not enough. Zin Mar Aung called for sanctions to be imposed on the state-owned Myanmar Oil and Gas Corporation that would cut off a major source of revenue for the junta and reduce the military’s access to aviation fuel that it needs to carry out airstrikes on its citizens.

Referring to Washington’s sanctioning of officials that work for the company, Zin Mar Aung said the sanctions “are alarming them” but that it was not “helpful” yet.

Deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman met with Zin Mar Aung on Tuesday, reiterating the US’ condemnation of the junta and Washington’s efforts to hold the junta accountable and reach a resolution. The measures against the junta were signed into law by President Joe Biden as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2023.

This included the authorization to provide armed pro-democracy forces with technical, non-lethal assistance, including the People’s Defense Forces under the shadow government. Zin Mar Aung called on the US to implement that legislation with more funding, citing that a fraction of the aid Washington has sent to Ukraine could already make a big difference.

Earlier this month, the junta was reportedly planning to allow civilians who are “loyal” to apply for a license to carry firearms, according to media reports and a leaked document. The move has raised concerns among experts, who believe that allowing pro-junta civilians to carry firearms would only escalate the violence and the frequent clashes with armed resistance forces.