US political strategist and longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, Roger Stone, has come under criticism after reports revealed he is being paid $50,000 per month to assist efforts aimed at rebuilding diplomatic and economic ties between Washington and Myanmar’s military-led government.

The disclosure has sparked outrage among human rights advocates, who accuse Myanmar’s ruling junta of attempting to launder its international image despite ongoing allegations of war crimes and widespread repression following the 2021 military coup.

According to filings submitted under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), Stone is providing “public affairs services” on behalf of Myanmar’s Ministry of Information.

The documents state that his work is focused on “rebuilding relations between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the United States,” with emphasis on trade, natural resources, and humanitarian issues.

Stone is reportedly listed as a consultant for the lobbying firm DCI Group, which has also been contacted for comment alongside Stone himself.

The revelations have been strongly condemned by advocacy groups, including Justice for Myanmar, which accused Stone and associated lobbyists of profiting from engagement with a sanctioned military regime accused of serious human rights violations.

Activists argue that Myanmar’s military leadership continues to face global isolation due to its role in the 2021 coup and its ongoing campaign against opposition forces and ethnic communities.

The military government has previously been sanctioned by the United States and other Western countries over alleged atrocities, including crimes linked to the Rohingya crisis and post-coup repression.

Myanmar has remained deeply unstable since the military takeover in 2021, which ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and triggered nationwide protests, armed resistance, and a prolonged civil conflict.

The United Nations and multiple human rights organizations have documented widespread abuses, including attacks on civilians, arbitrary detentions, and aerial bombardments in conflict zones.

A UN investigative body, the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, warned in 2024 that there is “substantial evidence” of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the military authorities since the coup.

Earlier this year, Myanmar’s military rulers organized staggered elections widely dismissed by international observers as neither free nor fair. Critics described the vote as a “sham” designed to legitimize continued military rule.

Following the elections, military commander Min Aung Hlaing was formally elevated to the position of president.

Despite attempts to present a return to normalcy, fighting between the military and various resistance groups has continued across the country. Conflict monitoring organizations reported that March saw more than 450 deaths from air and drone strikes — the highest monthly toll since the coup.

The reported involvement of Western political figures in lobbying efforts tied to Myanmar’s junta has intensified debate over the ethics of engagement with sanctioned regimes.

Critics argue such arrangements risk undermining international pressure aimed at ending violence and restoring democratic governance, while supporters of diplomatic engagement often claim it could open channels for humanitarian access and political negotiation.

For now, Myanmar remains mired in conflict, international isolation, and deepening humanitarian crisis, with no clear path toward political resolution. (ILKHA)