Two important developments on the international stage, regarding Myanmar.
The French Company Total Energies seems to be endorsing targeted sanctions on Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE). Human Rights Watch revealed that Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of the French giant, said in a latter that Total “will not only comply with any sanction decision from the European or American authorities but also supports the implementation of such targeted sanctions.”
MOGE annually brings over 1 billion dollars in the Burmese military’s pockets, and pro-democracy activists have been calling for sanctions against it. Chevron (US) and Total (France), who are operating in the Yadana natural gas field, have been actively lobbying against such sanctions, and continue to operate and finance the military regime. The change of heart by Total is interesting, and is not putting all the pressure on the French and US Government to act, as there are no more excuses not to stop financing the Burmese junta.
This shift may signal that the EU is preparing to target MOGE on February 1st, when a new round of sanctions is expected.
As the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to resume the Myanmar’s case concerning the Rohingya genocide, UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun applied to represent Myanmar in front of the jury, on behalf of the National Unity Government. The NUG is claiming legitimacy, and it will be interesting to see how the ICJ will respond. Since Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won’t be able to represent the country, there are fears that the military foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin will be allowed to replace her.
POLITICS, ECONOMY AND OTHER NEWS
• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold public hearings on the preliminary objections of Myanmar in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide from February 21st to Feb 28th
• Is Iran seeling missiles to the Burmese military? https://asiatimes.com/2022/01/what-is-irans-revolutionary-guard-doing-in-myanmar/
• Turkey as banned arms sales to the Burmese military regime
• The Chindwin reports that more than 40,000 Myanmar nationals have been arrested in Thailand since the coup for illegally crossing the border.
• The Karen National Union (KNO), Chin National Front (CNF) and Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) released a joint statement calling for a no-fly zone to prevent airstrikes on civilians by the Burmese military, and for safe-corridors to deliver humanitarian aid
• DVB published a piece on post-coup human trafficking in Myanmar http://english.dvb.no/traffickers-target-burmese-youths/?fbclid=IwAR1u7mZhRvxJR7ZetPJjVWqzStS0wButSv8wZ68Y4hND8LtghPMiSEGcJEQ
• Mizzima reports that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said Shan United FC withdrew from the AFC Champions League, while Hantharwady United FC pulled out of the AFC Cup for the second year in a row.
• The Cambodia Foreign ministry released a statement expressing concern over intense clashes between Resistance fighters and the Burmese military in Karenni State. The statement comes just few days after Cambodian PM Hun Sen visited the coup leader Min Aung Hlaing.
CHIN STATE
• Tedim: According to 74 media, a regime soldier died after his parachute failed to open
SAGAING
• Wa Chat, Sagaing: 3 women, including an 8th grader, have been detained for alleged ties to the armed Resistance
• Mahatdaing, Katha: 5 civilians, including 2 children, have been injured by an airstrike.
SHAN STATE
• Hsipaw: locals report that regime soldiers is planting landmines to protect the Chinese gas pipeline from being attacked by anti-coup fighters.
KACHIN STATE
• Bhamo: Resistance fighters claim to have killed at least 15 regime soldiers during a battle in Myo Hla.
KARENNI (KAYAH) STATE
• Loikaw: two civilians have been found dead in Daw Oo Khu Ward and Nam Baw Wan Ward, after the military regime fired heavy artillery
• Palaung village, Loikaw: Resistance fighters found the dead body of 68 year-old man who has been shot dead by the military regime in December
KAREN (KAYIN) STATE
• The Karen National Union (KNU) dismissed Major General Saw Nerdah Mya as the head of its Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO), regarding the killing of 25 people, who were alleged spies for Myanmar’s junta, in May last year. (Source: The Irrawaddy)
• Kawkareik: clashes between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and regime troops are intensifying
MANDALAY
• Natogyi: 4 civilians have been killed during an interrogation by regime soldiers. Farmers Pho Gyi (40), Kyaw Myo Win (40) and Pho Htaw (40) and 27-year-old Myo Min Htet (27) were abducted on Tuesday in Leptan village, along with 9 other people.
• Pyin Oo Lwin: a large amount of drugs was seized and destroyed by Resistance fighters of the Mandalay PDF.
• Chanmyatharsi: a pro-military local administrator has been killed
MAGWAY
• Thatyet: according to the Chindwin, the Burmese military regime has started forced conscription to recruit more soldiers.
• Sanmyo, Gangaw: regime troops torched several houses
• Nat Mauk: a pro-military local administrator has been killed
ARAKAN (RAKHINE) STATE
• Sittwe: the court began the trial of Ko Nyi Nyi Aung and Ko Aung Myo Lin, who were arrested by the Burmese military in 2020 and are accused of terrorism. The two claim innocence.
YANGON
• Professor Dr. Akar Moe Thu, who led anti-coup protests by university professors, has been sentenced to 3 years of prison
• North Okkalapa: explosion at the Electricity Office
MON STATE
• Myaynigone village: a gas pipeline has been attacked and damaged by explosives
COVID DAILY (as reported by the military-controlled Ministry of Health. Real figures are believed to be higher than officially reported)
• 128 new cases and 1 new deaths
AAPP Burma daily update (arrests and killings connected to the attempted military coup only, does not include events related to armed conflict). Since February 1st:
• 1,488 killed (+4)
• 11,651 total arrests (+13)
• 1,966 evading warrant (+0)
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