In 2010, Myanmar transitioned from a military dictatorship to a democracy (The Convo 2020). There was hope that this opportunity could put away Myanmar governments ongoing discrimination and violence towards the diverse ethnic minorities and institute a democratic regime that would support equal human rights of all ethnicities. Thousands of pro-democratic activists, who were previously suppressed by the Tatmadow, Myanmar’s military force, were released from their imprisonments following this change(The Convo 2020). One particular activist was Nobel Prize Winner Aung San Suu Kyi. Once released from house arrest, she took charge of the pro-democracy activist movement and developed the democratic political party, National League for Democracy Party (NLD) (The Convo 2020). In the following 2012 by-election for parliament, the NLD emerged as the favorites, but lost the election. Instead, the opposing party, the Union Solidarity & Development Party (USDP), won because of their continuous help from the Tatmadow leaders who have been in the government for awhile. It was obvious that some of the election ballots were tampered with, and most likely was rigged by the USDP(BBC 2012). Despite this loss, the country's demand for democracy was evident, and in 2015, a fair election led to the NLD securing the super majority in parliament, and Suu Kyi to be elected as state counselor.
Fig. 1. Aung San Suu Kyi at press conference post 2015 election
from : May Ng. "Aung San Suu Kyi and.." Mizzima, 8 Nov 2015
Suu Kyi’s biggest challenge was to solve the ongoing Rohingyas refugee crisis. For decades the Tatmadaw, under government order, has been forced to kill off the Muslim minority known as the Rohingyas (CFR 2015). To avoid being part of the genocide, most Rohinyas have fled to boarding countries such as Bangladesh(CFR 2015). This was a challenging task for Suu Kyi because the Tatmadow still had several military leaders in key positions of the government who used their power to ensure the continuity of the crisis (The Convo 2020).
Fig. 2. Tatmadaw soldiers controlling a Rohingya refugee camp
from: Reuters. "Acts of Genocide.." DNA, 8 May 2018.
Suu Kyi had lost international support due to lack of change in Myanmar. With the 2020 election near, Suu Kyi had intentions to be re-elected. In 2019 Suu Kyi defended the Tatmadaw actions of genocide at the international court of justice (Guardian 2019). Her defense towards the Tatmadow was most likely a tactic to gain support in the next election.
In November 2020, Suu Kyi’s NLD dominated the election, but the USDP and the Tatmadaw military denied their winnings. They made claims that the election was rigged, and detained Suu Kyi and other members of the NLD (VOA 2021). In what looks to be a military coup, Tatmadow has wreaked havoc on NLD protestors throughout the country evoking chaos. The neglect to leave power is similar to the situation that occurred in the 2020 United States Election. Instead of using military forces, President Trump allegedly influenced a riot on the capitol building by some of his radical supporters. During the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election, havoc broke out in and outside of the capital. The failure to step down from power and the lack of accountability of their positions in both countries has led to devastating impacts on their democracies. President Trump has stepped down, but if the USDP is to not step down soon, civilians are to going to continue to be negatively effected.
Fig. 3. Protestors are held back by police following rigged 2020 election from: Reuters. “Anger over Protests..” East Asia Pacific, 13 Feb 2021
Works Cited
Abdullah Yusuf Lecturer in Politics. (2020, December 14). Myanmar's election, the Rohingya crisis and the road to democracy. https://theconversation.com/myanmars-election-the-rohingya-crisis-and-the-road-to-democracy-143161.
Aung San Suu Kyi TELLS court: Myanmar genocide claims 'factually misleading'. (2019, December 11). https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/11/aung-san-suu-kyi-tells-icj-myanmar-genocide-claims-factually-misleading.
Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi wins by-election: NLD PARTY. (2012, April 1). https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-17577620.
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Others detained by military. https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/myanmar-leader-aung-san-suu-kyi-others-detained-military.
What forces are fueling myanmar's rohingya crisis? https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/rohingya-crisis.
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