With the Release of President U Win Myint, How Will the NUG Approach This Major Political Test?
April 17, 2026 | Burma Independent Voice
Opinion Piece by Kyawt Maung
Military propaganda media have announced that the coup leader has released President U Win Myint from his unjust detention. While the release of President U Win Myint and others who were unfairly imprisoned since the 2021 coup is a cause for celebration, they should never have been detained in the first place. As of the writing of this article, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has not been released, with reports only suggesting a possible move to house arrest.
It is broadly understood that coup leader Min Aung Hlaing’s decision to release President U Win Myint is an attempt to gain international and ASEAN recognition for his fabricated presidential role and to create a facade of political relaxation. Another possibility is that the military remains resentful of the fact that over 190 UN member states still recognize President U Win Myint as the head of state. By releasing him while he is not performing presidential duties, the junta likely wants to demonstrate to the world that Min Aung Hlaing alone wields sovereign power.
Furthermore, this move may be a strategic attempt to blur or destabilize the standing of the revolutionary National Unity Government (NUG), specifically aiming to complicate its political and military operations.
Currently, the NUG maintains Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint as its top leaders. According to the NUG’s protocol, U Win Myint remains the President. However, since both were detained when the NUG was formed, they were unable to personally decide whether to accept these roles. Even though they are “released,” they remain under the junta’s sphere of control, making any decision to accept or reject leadership titles within the NUG a profound personal and political dilemma for them.
Since President U Win Myint was unable to perform his duties while imprisoned, Acting President Duwa Lashi La has led the NUG. While U Win Myint is now free, it remains practically impossible for him to assume active leadership within the NUG under current conditions.
In short, President U Win Myint may face immense pressure from the military regarding the safety of his family and himself. Simultaneously, how the NUG and revolutionary forces balance the role of President U Win Myint becomes a significant political test. The media will likely query him regarding his leadership role in the NUG, an interrogation that could create a crisis for a man just emerging from years of unjust captivity.
The responsibility to find a political solution to this scenario falls directly on the current leadership of the NUG. Questions arise as to what considerations and preparations the revolutionary government has made for this situation. Strategic action is now required that goes beyond merely reacting to the junta’s moves.
On April 16, the 5th anniversary of the NUG, Acting President Duwa Lashi La reiterated the demand for the immediate and unconditional release of the State Counsellor and the President. “I want to state solemnly that we do not forget for a single minute or second the situation of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, and all political prisoners… We resolutely demand [their] immediate and unconditional release,” he stated.
Currently, Min Aung Hlaing is systematically working to bypass his crimes by feigning political concessions and dialogue to gain international recognition for the government emerging from his sham elections. In this climate, the NUG must provide clear messages to the public. The revolutionary government must clearly present its leadership role, reaffirm that it has not deviated from its original goals, and explain its ongoing political strategies.
It is essential to transparently communicate the current state of the armed and political revolution and the direction of its leadership. The NUG bears full responsibility for ensuring the public’s vision of the revolution remains clear and that they understand the true political landscape. One hopes the NUG has already prepared for such contingencies.
The message regarding the revolution’s clarity must be delivered with transparency, honoring the accountability owed to every individual who has sacrificed their life. There must be specific policies to protect the dignity of leaders who are being used as political hostages by the military. These responsibilities rest on all revolutionary leadership organizations, and they must act swiftly.
The release of President U Win Myint is not a gesture of genuine political goodwill; it is a “political trap” designed to sow confusion among revolutionary forces and deceive the international community into believing the junta is changing. In this sensitive moment, the NUG must implement strategic responses immediately to avoid being dragged along by the military junta’s maneuvers.
