In November 2020, Aung San Suu Kyi, a greatly beloved political figure in Myanmar, led the National League for Democracy (NLD) to an astounding landslide victory in Myanmar’s national election. Nationwide celebrations ensued as the NLD invited minority parties to cooperate and work alongside it. However, the widespread optimism for the future was short-lived.
The opposition party, backed by Myanmar’s powerful military, claimed the election results were fraudulent. The election commission and international observers were quick to indicate there was no evidence of widespread fraud in the electoral process. Before a new session for Parliament could begin, the military instigated a swift coup. Aung Suu Kyi and many of her party members were detained. A few NLD members managed to escape and formed a new political alliance in an unknown location.
Military commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing is now in control of Myanmar’s government. The military has declared a state of emergency that will last for a year. The international community has condemned the military and the coup. Heavy sanctions have been placed on Myanmar’s new leaders. Ms Suu Kyi’s whereabouts are unknown. She has been charged with several crimes including violation of Myanmar’s official secrets act and keeping illegal walkie-talkies.
Myanmar’s citizens have had to endure arbitrary arrests, internet blackouts and violence at the hands of the nation’s military. Several police officers who fled their duties claim that orders were given for them to kill protestors. The military government is struggling to control nationwide protests.
Facebook videos documented police firing tear gas and stun grenades into crowds of protestors in Lashio, a town located in the nation’s northern Shan region. Witnesses claim police opened fire to break up protestors in the town of Bagan. News of the nationwide protests has spread across social media platforms nationally and internationally.
For several days after the military’s overthrow of the NLD, peaceful protestors assembled in Yangon, the nation’s largest city, to demonstrate their fury and frustration with the military. Tens of thousands of protestors began to flood the streets in protest. Security forces became increasingly tense as protestors also gathered in towns across the nation.
Overnight raids were conducted by security forces across Yangon. March 21 was the bloodiest day since the beginning of the crisis. Approximately 100 people were killed when the military opened fire on protestors. International observers estimate that 400 people have died since the conflict started in February.
The conflict in Myanmar is getting worse with each passing day. The military has escalated the violence by conducting airstrikes against Myanmar’s largest rebel group. As hundreds of funerals were being held across the country, the military’s leaders allegedly threw a lavish party to mark their successful overthrow of the democratically elected government. Thomas Vajda, the United States Ambassador to Myanmar, claimed the military was murdering unarmed civilians including children.
Amnesty International has pleaded with the international community to respond with greater force. Their requests include a UN arms embargo and sanctions on the top generals. Russia and China, two complicit actors in the crisis, have veto powers at the United Nations Security Council.
It is unlikely that quick action will be taken against Myanmar’s military when these two powerful nations have a say so. Ming Yu Hah, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for campaigns said, “This is just the latest example of the military authorities’ determination to kill their way out of nationwide resistance to the coup.”
Recently, a video of a nun kneeling in front of armed forces was released to the BBC. She was asking for mercy on behalf of protestors who were hiding in the clinic where she worked. Her inspiring actions have gone viral in the country. Although the military has continued its reign of violence, Myanmar’s people have taken a determined stand in favour of democracy. The next few weeks will reveal whether the nation will take steps towards a civil war.
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