Photo : Messenger
Myanmar resistance fights are continuing intensely to overturn the military coup. Three years after the generals’ power grab, anti-coup fighters say they want them out of Myanmar’s politics.
Military dictatorship is born from the power of the gun, and so it undermines the concept of the rule of law and gives birth to a culture of might, a culture of weapons, violence and intolerance. Myanmar is nowadays a burning example in that bumbled direction.
When order becomes tyranny, rebellion becomes a duty. Let`s just hope that the people of Myanmar are finally fed up with their military, who are supposed to recognise the supremacy of civilian authority and protect a democratically elected government. I pray that when the Military Junta of Myanmar will come to an end the democratically elected government that was forced out by the Junta should be reinstated and allowed to freely continue their mandate; otherwise, this revolution will only be a change from one military control to another.
We take a closer look at Myanmar, where a rebel coalition of armies appears to be making progress in their war against the ruling Myanmar junta. The military had seized power in a coup in 2021.
The democratically elected parliament the military targeted was scattered, with some legislators fleeing the country and others remaining behind. They have been operating a parallel civilian government ever since. And some young supporters for democracy took up arms.
Their efforts are finally paying off, it seems, with the fighters’ making gains on at least three major fronts across northern Myanmar. So, democracy is always worth fighting for…
When Myanmar was ruled by the Japanese, the country gained its independence because all the armed forces organized and resisted the Japanese. The reason for the civil war is that there was no open principle among the leaders of the armed resistance forces from the beginning. Their concern is that even in the current situation, I hope there is openness among the leaders I hope they have plans for the future that everyone can accept. When there is a common enemy, everyone organises and attacks. When the common enemy disappears, they attack each other again. That is very bad!
Reminiscent of the situation in Bangladesh was during the freedom struggle there in the early 70s. This was after the democratically elected government was refused a transfer of power by the brutal Pakistani military. The freedom fighters had control of almost all the countryside, but the Pakistani army held the large cities. At our request, India and the former Soviet Union intervened and the cruel Pakistani army surrendered. Bangladesh is 99% Bengali and the unity this gave was an asset in defeating the ethnically, culturally and linguistically very different people in the army of Pakistan and Pakistan’s people. The bigotry of the Myanmar government against all minorities in the nation could well prove to be their downfall. Then we want to see true democracy to restore the rights of all the persecuted peoples of Myanmar, not the least being the Rohingya.
Only the greedy military top brass put the country into a chaotic situation. The economy is getting worse, and the people are suffering at the hands of these few evil leaders.
The Junta in control of Myanmar isn`t overly worried... China has a "main vein" highway going directly to a naval facility on Myanmar`s coast. That, along with port projects in Bangladesh and Pakistan, are part of a larger Chinese project to project power along the Bay of Bengal and thereby protect shipping lanes from Africa and the Gulf in case the US, Australia, Taiwan, Japan, and India decide to call China`s bluff. So, if it gets too dicey, the Junta can always call on the Chinese protectors to come to their assistance.
Democracy should win in Myanmar in a smooth political transition way... Not in this kind of terrorist and destruction way, which only makes our Myanmar people feel unsafe and face more political conflicts and instability of country unity...
The only thing that anyone has against the military is the determination that the Myanmar people do not subject themselves to military rule. Once they have that determination, it is as strong as any armour for them.
February 1, 2021, had become one of the most fateful days in Myanmar’s political calendar since the early-hours coup on that day. The country has never been the same since becoming mired in social and political turmoil sparked by the takeover.
Three years on, Myanmar is still reeling from the coup. On the positive side, the popular resistance against the regime remains unwavering and has spread despite the junta’s ongoing atrocities against civilians.
Myanmar, after two years under military rule, is a disaster due to the coup, which shouldn’t have happened in the first place. It has also pushed the country onto a revolutionary path. It’s a huge blow for the country, as we have lost educated young people in the fight against the regime. The takeover brings nothing good to the country.
On the other hand, after two years, the fight against the regime is gaining momentum and will only get bloodier. There is no hope for the junta. It’s hopeful for the people of Myanmar and the revolutionary forces.
Among the positive things the revolution has brought over the past two years are an understanding of ethnic people and a mindfulness of federal democracy. Such things are big steps forward for the country’s national reconciliation.
During the three years of our fight against the regime, the NUG has made significant developments in many sectors, including militarily and in international relations and politics. They now have control over more than half of the country after their coordinated attacks with ethnic armed organisations on junta targets.
As more areas come under their control, they are providing education and health services there, as well as administrative and judicial services. They have opened more than 4,000 schools and 55 hospitals on the ground in those areas. The NUG administration is in effect in 80 townships, and they are expanding to the district level. The judicial system will follow.
As the NUG has vowed that 2024 will be a decisive year in the fight against the junta, they are trying hard to bring about change. We believe we will be victorious. At the same time, we wish to see more systematic administration and rule of law in 2024.
The military has reversed virtually all of the previous decade’s reforms and is waging war in a brutal, indiscriminate fashion against the Myanmar people, all to hold onto power. The Myanmar people have responded heroically, rising up against the military with incredible courage and resilience and insisting that they will not accept the military’s desire to turn the country back to the dark days of the past.
Over the past three years, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has tried to gain legitimacy, but he has failed, as there is no space for him even at the regional level in ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations). He is a loser on all fronts, locally and internationally.
The revolution against him is occurring not only in the Karen State but across the whole country. It has now far passed the infantry stage. The resistance groups are now able to collaborate to launch attacks on the junta. That’s the most remarkable thing; we haven’t seen such a thing in the history of Myanmar’s 70 years of armed struggle.
After three years of taking over state power in Myanmar, the junta has started tasting defeat in the battlefield. Great, Democracy Long Live. "Vox populi Vox dei" - Voice of the people is Voice of the divinity. Good luck, Myanmar! Hoping for the restoration of democracy tout de suite in Myanmar.
The writer is a freedom fighter, who writes on politics and international issues
Messenger/Fameema
