President Biden: Stop oil companies from bankrolling the Myanmar military

U.S. President Joe Biden

Urge President Biden to stop oil companies from bankrolling the Myanmar military

With the European Union's imposition of sanctions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) in February, 2022, it is vital that the US follow suit.

Myanmar earns close to US$1 billion a year from natural gas sales. Much of this money flows through Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), a state-owned enterprise with deep links to the military’s business empire. With the military coup, MOGE and the rest of the government is under direct military control.

The European Union has already sanctioned MOGE. In July, 2022, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair, Senator Bob Menendez (D, New Jersey) and Minority Leader, Senator Mitch McConnell (R, Kentucky), have called on President Biden to impose sanctions on MOGE.

It is long past time for President Biden to impose sanctions on Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) as part of stopping oil and gas companies - such as Chevron, Total, Petronas, and Posco - from continuing to bankroll the Burmese military.

Sign our petition urging President Biden to take action to end the flow of money from foreign corporations to Myanmar's military.

For more information:

"Chairman Menendez Statement on Burmese Junta's Execution of Democracy Activists," Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 25 July 2022

"Amid military atrocities, Myanmar public urges gas sanctions," by Kristen Gelineau, Victoria Milko, and Lori Hinnant, Associated Press, 15 December 2021

"Burma Campaign UK Welcomes New EU Sanctions - MOGE Included," Burma Campaign UK, 21 February 2022

"How Oil and Gas Majors Bankroll the Myanmar Military Regime," Justice For Myanmar, 8 February 2021

To: U.S. President Joe Biden
From: [Your Name]

On February 1, 2021, the Myanmar military seized power in a coup d'etat, imprisoning civilian leaders as well as pro-democracy and human rights advocates.

In response to this coup, young people in Myanmar have taken to the streets in a new #CivilDisobedienceMovement (CDM) demanding an end to military rule. They are calling on the international community to impose tough and targeted sanctions, including stopping oil and gas companies from bankrolling the military through their partnerships with Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE).

The military is now brutally cracking down, imprisoning, injuring, and killing thousands of peaceful pro-democracy protesters. The United States has already imposed sanctions on top military leaders and some military-owned companies. But it is vital that the United States honor CDM's call for tougher targeted sanctions that stop the flow of money from foreign corporations to the Myanmar military.

It is long past time for the United States to impose sanctions on Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE)​ as part of stopping oil and gas companies - such as Chevron, Total, Petronas, and Posco - from continuing to bankroll the Burmese military.

Please take all appropriate actions to end the flow of money from foreign corporations to Myanmar's military.