Keeping their 'enemy' close: Suu Kyi's lack of interest in resolving the issues underlying the ethnic conflicts during NLD's first term in office was evident but various ethnic groups in Myanmar have still shown her support after the military coup. — AP
Questions arose as to what she fought for all these years. Was it"democracy"? Or was it just a way of securing a share of the power, hugging international media limelight, and enjoying the goddess-like reverence from the Bamar majority, 70% of the population, and her support base? Meanwhile, the ruthless exploitation of the 130 or so ethnic minority groups by the all-powerful Tatmadaw and the political elites after the British rulers' departure in 1948 continued unabated.
The November 2020 election saw Suu Kyi's party return to power with an even greater majority. But the military was unwilling to accept it and staged a coup, toppling her government. Evidently, the generals had different expectations from her. After the recent coup, the Tatmadaw formed a State Administrative Council to run the country and invited the ethnic minority leaders to join it, presumably expecting to benefit from their dissatisfaction with Suu Kyi. But most invitees turned down such offers, and those who accepted them faced severe criticism.
The Al Jazeera report also pointed to the loud demands by non-Bamar groups for an overhaul of the 2008 constitution based on federalism and their rights to land and natural resources. That leads us to the second aspect: a strong cry for establishing the minorities' rights, as seen in the recent street demonstrations, reported Nikkei Asia.
That brings us to the third aspect: you cannot appease the generals while fighting for civilian rule. Throughout civilisations, civil-military relations were never easy, as elaborated by Duke professor Peter Feaver.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.