Myanmar: A Crossroads of Conflict and Change, Navigating Through Turmoil and International Response
Myanmar, a Southeast Asian nation of more than 100 ethnic groups, shares borders with India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand. Myanmar is a key player in the Indo-Pacific region. However, the political happenings of Myanmar has never been very favorable. Despite its strategic location, it has been prone to numerous ethnic conflicts and political turmoil. Here, we will try to delve into Myanmar’s history and how the military coup of 2021 have created a ruckus and at the same point how the international community has been dealing with the whole scenario.
MYANMAR’S HISTORY
Myanmar’s history has always been troublesome with coups, military rule and ethnic conflicts. Myanmar has been ruled by a military junta since it gained independence from British colonial rule in 1948. Myanmar’s representative democracy only lasted for a brief period and was cut short in 1962 when General Ne Win led a military coup and held power for the next 26 years.
Following the resignation of Ne Win, another military junta took over power. In 1989, the new military junta changed the name of the country to Union of Myanmar, earlier known as Union of Burma. This military junta officially disbanded in 2011 after the onset of the Saffron Revolution but had established a military dominated civilian parliament for a transitional period.
2021 MILITARY COUP
Myanmar’s political landscape remained unstable, culminating into a military coup in 2012. This event has sparked international concern and condemnation, prompting the global community to respond to the crisis.
While Win Myint was still recognized by the UN as the acting President and Head of State, military rule continued under Myint led by Min Aung Hlaing, an Army General and also the Prime Minister of Myanmar since 2021. Violence and armed resistance continued against this military rule which was imposed following the 2021 February coup. Large number of civilian leaders were imprisoned during this time.
On 1st February, 2021, the Myanmar military, also known as Tatmadaw, launched a coup against the civilian government, declaring the results of the November 2020 general election as invalid and instating a one-year of emergency. Many of the high-ranking officials of the governing National League for Democracy (NLD) party were arrested on the grounds of widespread fraud in the general election where NLD won with a clear majority. Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of NLD was also imprisoned.
The military takeover occurred just hours before the newly elected parliament was scheduled to convene, shattering any hopes for a peaceful transition to democracy.
Photo credit: bbc.com
Over time, many leaders and activists from several minority groups formed a parallel government and named it the National Unity Government (NUG) to oppose the military junta. In September 2021, the NUG declared war against the Tatmadaw and established an armed group known as the People’s Defense Force (PDF). There were numerous reports about the ongoing, widespread clashes between the PDF and the military.
Prior to the coup, Myanmar was governed by a power sharing arrangement between the civilian government and the military, under the 2008 Constitution. This arrangement guaranteed the military a significant role in politics, with 25 percent of parliamentary seats reserved, three key ministerial portfolios, and one vice president post for the military. The military expected this arrangement to preserve its dominance in politics, but the November 2020 elections showed that the equilibrium had shifted. This signaled a shift in the stability of power.
The military’s seizure of control sparked nationwide protests that brought hundreds of thousands to the streets. What began as peaceful demonstrations quickly escalated into violent clashes as the military cracked down on dissent, arresting elected leaders, civilian officials, protest leaders and journalists.
The army’s attacks have mobilized broad civil disobedience and guerrilla-styled armed resistance, while clashes between the military and newly formed civilian armed groups threaten to engulf the country in a new kind of civil war. The Tatmadaw views itself as a protector and the rightful guardian of the nation, with an obligation to rule. The military had said that it will hold free and fair elections once the period of emergency is over.
IMPACT OF THE COUP
Thousands of people were arbitrarily detained, with reports of widespread torture of detainees persisting. Foreign companies were found to have supplied aviation fuel to the Myanmar military, that was responsible for carrying out aerial attacks that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians. Additionally, tens of thousands of ethnic Rohingya people remained confined to displacement camps, with their rights remained severely restricted. Hundreds of people were killed on military grounds. Air strikes on hospitals, schools and religious buildings also resulted in deaths, damage, and the destruction of protected civilian objects. The people’s rights are hindered. Women in particular have been affected by poverty, sexual violence, and obstructing their rights, participation and empowerment.
This massive violence and conflict have also led to fleeing of many people from Myanmar to its neighboring countries, like India and Thailand.
The coup in Myanmar has left deep scars on the country’s economy, pushing nearly half the population into poverty and erasing years of progress. Weak consumer demand, currency controls, international sanctions and escalating conflicts have painted a bleak picture for recovery.
Why Myanmar is so vulnerable to conflicts
Myanmar is a country characterized by its diverse ethnic groups residing together. The roots of division can be traced back to British colonial rule, which laid the foundation for ongoing discrimination that escalated into lengthy armed conflicts between the Tatmadaw and more than a dozen ethnic armed organizations, causing the World’s Largest Continuing Civil War. Ethnic diversity, historical tensions, political instability, and economic disparities have been the major factors that make Myanmar susceptible to prolonged periods to conflict and violence.
International responses
This event has drawn international responses . Most western countries have strongly criticized the military takeover in Myanmar. The US, UK and EU have imposed new sanctions on military officials. The UN said that the coup was a serious setback for democratic progress.
In contrast, China has maintained its traditional stance of non-interference in regard to the coup and has called for the return of democratic norms.
Southeast and East Asian nations have taken a more cautious approach towards the military junta, considering their relationships with China in the region.
Countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are deeply concerned about the security, political and economic consequences of Myanmar’s coup, which has heightened the risk of humanitarian crisis, transnational crime and corruption, and economic losses.
Australia suspended its defense agreement with Myanmar in response to the mounting violence.
India, being its immediate neighbor, faces a dual challenge from Myanmar's post-coup situation. first is that Myanmar’s deteriorating condition could potentially destabilize India’s Northeast region, while the junta’s alignment with China poses threats in the Indian Ocean.
MYANMAR IN RECENT TIME
Today, Myanmar remains fundamentally damaged by the military coup. It grapples with the aftermath of the military coup. Nearly half of the population have been pushed below the poverty line, leading to widespread economic hardship. Business in Myanmar suffers from perpetual shortages because of foreign currency constraints, which depress exports and hike inflation. The 2021 government regime has struggled to control surging inflation and the devaluation of the kyat.
Despite these challenges, Myanmar remains an attractive destination for international buyers and brands due to its low labor costs. Like any other businesses, garment makers in Myanmar face difficulties in accessing foreign currency, managing production inputs, and conducting currency exchange, making the prospects for sustained growth uncertain.
Myanmar’s environmental vulnerability was very evident when the cyclone Mocha hit its coastal regions in May 2023. There have been serious problems in providing disaster assistance and aid in conflict-affected zones.
In an article for The Diplomat, Jordan Eriksson emphasized that there’s no political solution to Myanmar’s crisis. Instead, International efforts should focus on supporting the pro-democracy resistance movement to bring about positive change.
Unsplash/Pyae Sone Htun
The path to a flourishing Myanmar would truly start once it overcame the military regime. While this is a complex challenge, restoring peace is possible. Promoting dialogue between conflicting parties, upholding human rights, and providing international mediation and support are essential steps in facilitating peaceful negotiations.