Myanmar’s “National Unity Government” has sought to bring anti-coup dissidents together with myriad ethnic rebel fighters to form a federal army to challenge the junta. STR AFP/File
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy government and launched a brutal crackdown on dissent.A group of ousted lawmakers later set up a shadow “National Unity Government” which has sought to bring anti-coup dissidents together with Myanmar’s myriad ethnic rebel fighters to form a federal army to challenge the junta.
They pledged “mutual recognition” and to “partner equally” the statement added, without giving further details. A CNF spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.The group — which represents the mainly Christian Chin minority in western Myanmar — signed a ceasefire with the country’s military, also known as Tatmadaw, in 2015.“The CNF has no real military strength, so this move is symbolic,” Richard Horsey, senior advisor on Myanmar to the International Crisis Group, told AFP.
Around a hundred recruits were shown marching across flat ground surrounded by jungle. None appeared to be carrying weapons.x