Myanmar’s generals seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in February 2021. They have promised to hold new elections and revised election laws. The junta put in place a dissolution of 40 parties, undermining Myanmar’s democratic institutions and all opposition. Battles over the junta’s power grab have been bloody. The military has killed more than 4,000 civilians and arrested almost 25,000 people. More than 1.6 million people have been internally displaced. Russia and China are in support of the regime; while Canada, the UK and the USA have condemned the coup. Taiwan has been a leading voice in condemnation.
Myanmar has seen military generals seize power multiple times since 1958. They typically implement a cycle of sham elections, of which ‘Western’ nations are condemning. Taiwan is a champion of democracy in the region and has been very vocal in its dissent towards the threat to democracy from the junta and for human rights protections.
The junta is replacing a lot of top military officials in what they are calling a ‘corrective purge.’ The reshuffling is meant to consolidate and centralize military control. The elections are seen by the National Unity Government, established by ousted Burmese politicians, as a way for the junta to solidify and maintain their power.
Taiwan is leading the cause for democracy in the region. Having had its own struggle towards democracy, Taiwan is a leading voice for the cause. Myanmar’s youth are leading civilian rebellions against the junta. It’s the youth that are demanding a return to democracy in their nation. This is similar to Taiwan’s journey, which saw student movements advocate for democratic reforms. As civilians fight back against the junta, their voices are quelled internationally by a lack of media coverage. The more attention these countries give to the human rights violations in Myanmar, the more attention their fight for democracy will receive.
Canada, the US, and the UK are trying to bolster democracy abroad; however, the history of Myanmar and the greater Southeast Asian region is hesitant to foreign influence. They spent the greater part of their modern history seeking independence from these Western powers and from the systemic issues colonialism left behind. Their motives seem to be in opposition to Russian and Chinese goals and influence.
Russia and China strongly support Myanmar’s junta. This brings Myanmar to the geopolitical struggle of the West and the East. With historical foreign occupation in Myanmar by the British and Japanese, Myanmar is very sensitive to foreign influence. This geopolitical struggle illustrates a continued fight relating to influence over communism, authoritarianism and democracy between the West and East in the Southeast Asian region. This region saw a lot of violence in the aftermath of World War II in regards to communist regimes.
Myanmar will have to face immense reconciliation once the war is resolved. Since the violence against civilians is from citizens of Myanmar, the situation is similar to that of the reconciliation Cambodia faced post the Khmer Rouge regime. It will be interesting to see how Myanmar reconciles with the violence faced in this civil war and the governmental outcome. Since youth are leading the fight for democracy they will carry the trauma of war and the brutality of the violence for their lifetime.
By Claire Kirshenbaum
“UK, Canada, Taiwan criticize Myanmar as generals unleash ‘corrective purge’” By Thompson Chau, Al Jazeera