<
https://theconversation.com/5-years-on-from-the-juntas-coup-myanmars-flawed-elections-cant-unite-a-country-at-risk-of-breaking-apart-272894>
"Five years ago, on February 1 2021, Myanmar’s top generals decapitated the
elected government. Democratic leaders were arrested, pushed underground or
forced into exile.
Since then, the economy has spluttered and foreign investors have headed for
the exit. The only growth industries – mostly scam centres, drugs and other
criminal activities – enrich those already well-fed.
The military junta has kept its stranglehold via draconian curbs on civil and
political liberties. It has bolstered its fighting forces through ruthless
conscription, including of child soldiers. They now face rebellions in almost
every corner of the ethnically diverse country.
It helps that the military brass can still depend on international support from
Russia. China, meanwhile, is playing a careful game to ensure its interests –
including prized access to the Indian Ocean for oil and gas – are secured.
And US President Donald Trump’s second term in office has introduced newly
unpredictable and detrimental elements to great power politics.
The US government last year cited “notable progress in governance and stability
[and] plans for free and fair elections” as justification for removing the
Temporary Protected Status designation for immigrants from Myanmar. Although a
federal judge blocked this decision a few days ago, this may eventually force
previously protected Myanmar citizens to return home.
However, far from being free and fair, the month-long elections that just
concluded in Myanmar have been devoid of meaningful democratic practice.
They will entrench the junta and provide little more than a patina of
legitimacy that anti-democratic major powers will use to further normalise
relations with Myanmar’s military leaders."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
