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On February 1, 2021, Myanmar’s military overthrew their democratically-elected government in a coup, arresting several key members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) political party, among them was democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Following their coup, the military announced on television that they would be taking control of the country for a year, claiming that their actions are justified under the military-drafted constitution in cases of “national crisis”. The military, named the Tatmadaw, claims that the reason for their coup is the government’s lack of action on the alleged voter fraud that may have occurred in the country’s November election. However, this coup occurred when leader Suu Kyi’s NLD was gaining more political and local support as they attempted to decrease military presence in government. However, the conflict between the military and Suu Kyi is not so cut and dry. Though Suu Kyi is working towards a democratic government, she has remained silent on the Rohingya genocide perpetrated by the Tatmadaw and denies the occurrence of the crimes against the Rohingya. Further, she defended them in the face of these crimes in the International Court of Justice in 2019.
So, what does this ultimately mean for the future of Myanmar and its residents?
The Tatmadaw has historically tried to wipe dissidence with a heavy and violent hand. They have murdered protestors, silenced critical reporting and enforced disappearances. Though these atrocities occurred even during the rule of the NDL government, democratic mechanisms were beginning to take hold to allow for less military intervention and a more equitable government rule. This coup is ultimately a step away from the democratic trajectory that Myanmar was once on, bolstering their military power and continued oppression of their people. These negative impacts are not equally felt amongst the population. Minorities like the Rohingya are likely to face even further atrocities due to the Tatmadaw regaining further governmental power.
The aftermath of the coup echoes these sentiments. Following the coup, the Tatmadaw, led by General Min Aung Hlaing, has increased its military oppression over dissidence in the wake of its coup. Government buildings like hospitals have been occupied and the Tatmadaw has increased raids on the homes of potential dissenters. As of March 25, it is estimated that at least 138 people have been killed by the Tatmadaw since the coup and thousands have been detained through these raids. It is clear that the Tatmadaw has shown no respect for international laws through its occupations of hospitals, human rights violations and their countless other atrocities.
Nick Moon, April 2021
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