The Asian Tribune
www.asiantribune.net
Myanmar is in deep crisis. Citizens are suffering as inflation is rising, manufacturing has been affected badly due to years of political turmoil.
Thousands have lost their lives in the conflict that has shaken the country over the last few years, especially, after the military coup.
The repression has led to a climate of fear. Army had over after a coup on February 1, 2021. The government led by Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown.
Dissidents were arrested and jailed. Meanwhile, the ethnic armed organizations and resistance forces like People’s Defence Force (PDF) and Arakan Army, Kachin Independence Army kept on fighting in different regions.
This fragmentation led to a situation that at one point junta controlled just 21% of territory while resistance maintained hold over 42% of the country’s land. The SAC is at the helm in Myanmar. As army’s governing body, it resorted to harsh measures that included air strikes.
The villages were burnt, people were killed and opposition leaders were detained. China’s tilt towards junta has emboldened the regime. But this has done little to improve the situation.
Tens of millions are in dire need of aid. Unemployment has grown in a big way and the country has become poor. The economy is in shambles and the institutions are crumbling.
The repression is severe and it includes raids, torture and killings. Food scarcity is affecting the citizens and still there is no sign of any positive change.
Western countries have been raising the issue of atrocities during junta regime and sanctions have been imposed, the country is caught in a vicious cycle of violence.
*Myanmar is spread over an area of 676,579 sq km and has a population of nearly 55 million. Since 2021, the country has been going through a period of instability. GDP has shrunk and over 18 million are in need of humanitarian aid.
*The conflict has resulted in a situation that thousands have lost their lives and tens of millions are in dire need of aid. It has been ranked at the bottom–153rd among 163 countries on the index that tracks peace in countries, the most peaceful at the top.
The ongoing conflict in Myanmar has thrown the country into an abyss of chaos and instability.
Now it is known for poverty and poor governance. In fact, Myanmar is now seen as one of the most politically unstable countries in Asia.
On one hand, junta has leaders like the veteran general, Min Aung Hlaing, who heads the government and has power in his hands, mainly due to repressive tactics. Tens of thousands were arrested and opponents like Aung San Suu Kyi were detained.
Despite public anger, the SAC regime remains in the saddle, firmly. The religious minorities have also suffered and Rohingyas have been victim of extreme persecution.
Masses have been visibly upset and there is unrest. However, the strong arm action, has kept the junta afloat. Nearly one third of the country’s population needs humanitarian aid.
More than 3.5 million people have been internally displaced. Also, due to failing economy and crumbling institutions, illegal narco trafficking has become a major issue.
The flow of refugees is a major cause of concern, along with unemployment.
Wil the country will plunge more into deep crisis and move towards becoming a failed state? That’s the question the common citizens as well as the intelligentsia and all those concerned about the fate of the country, worry about.
Email: editor@asiantribune.net
