The Tatmadaw (military) says it will not allow changes to 48 basic principles of the 2008 Constitution, a military spokesman said.
Among the principles that cannot be touched is the involvement of the military in politics and government, senior military MP Major General Than Soe told a press conference over the weekend.
He said the military will withdraw from politics only when no armed groups are active in the country.
The 2008 Constitution, which many people deem undemocratic, allocates 25 percent of all parliament seats to the military. Likewise, key security ministries, such as the Interior Ministry and Border Affairs Ministry remain in firm control by the military despite the transfer of power to a civilian government in 2016.
Any constitutional amendment requires the backing of more than 25 percent of MPs, which means any change would need the support of the military.
Maj Gen Than Soe said the military will continue to participate in the ongoing exercise to amend the charter but would object to any deviation from the path “of the Union based on democracy and federalism, which can destroy peace and damage the checks and balances among three pillars” of the country.
Major General Tun Tun Nyi said the military is not an opposition party but will always stand on the side of national interests without any bias to any political party.
On other matters, Major General Soe Naing Oo said that while the military’s unilateral ceasefire is in effect until April, the Tatmadaw will continue to try to convince armed ethnic groups to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement by 2020.
He said the military is not asking the groups to immediately disarm, demobilise and reintegrate upon signing the truce.
“We are asking them to keep their weapons, but do not shoot any more, and let’s find a solution together,” he said.
Maj Gen Soe Naing Oo said they also recognise that the groups have the right to protect themselves.