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Covid-19, Coup, Conflicts, Civil War and Myanmar
Since before July, the voices of the third wave of COVID-19 become louder across the nation. Covid-19 cases were reported in Kalay Township of Sagaing Region in conjunction with armed conflicts. A female with comorbid disease was shot dead by the gun. On July 5 (Sunday) alone, 2021, more than 10,000 Covid-19 tests were conducted. Among them, more than 2,300 people tested positive for Covid-19. The total number of deaths reached 35. Currently, the stay-at-home orders have been put in place in 26 townships across the country. The number of similar townships is likely to increase.
At the same time, the mitigation of conflicts in Myanmar is impossible. There are fighting between the newly-emerged armed groups, the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) while the fighting between Shan ethnic armed groups has intensified. The economic, social and political sectors are in free fall due to the impact of the military coup. As a result, it becomes a big threat to the daily life of the people in Myanmar. On the other hand, the international countries and organizations are mediating in Myanmar’s crisis. There are warnings that Myanmar may become a failed state like Syria. But Myanmar people are experiencing more problems than that on the real ground.
Among the news events in the first week of July, the Myanmar Peace Monitor’s weekly news review will mainly place emphasis on some points about the C4-the Covid-19 situation, conflicts, the coup and the civil war-like situation.
COVID-19
On March 23rd, 2020, two confirmed patients were first detected in Myanmar. The confirmed patient (Case-5) is the first patient who died of Covid-19 on the morning of March 31st. This period is called the First Wave. In the second week of August, 2020, the second wave started with the detection of some patients in Sittwe of the Arakan State. Dr. Than Naing Soe, Spokesperson of the Health Ministry told the VOA that the third wave of Covid-19 started in Kyeekhar of Tonzang Township in Chin State on 27-5-2021. He said that the pattern of the Covid-19 third wave is similar to the second wave. The third wave may become strong.
There is only one point to utilize the experiences of the second wave in order to overcome the third wave. Those who could overcome the second wave are the doctors, medical staff who have first joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) after the coup by the military council, and volunteers. Now these groups are revolutionists included in the nomination list of Nobel peace prize. Now there are no measures and an economic relief plan created by the government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who achieved fame for her efforts in the Covid-19 control. Only a very few people know where severe patients can receive treatment and how to receive treatment. As a result, the people start using self-test kits while some people go to the hospitals and clinics run by the military council.
At present, the total number of stay-at-home townships has reached 42. They are included : Homalin, Tamu and Kalay Townships in Sagaing, Pyin-Oo-Lwin, Chanmyathazi, Pyigyitagon, Mahaaungmyay, Aungmyaythazan and Patheingyi Townships in Mandalay Region, Thayawady, Minhla and Letpadan Townships in Bago Region, Pathein, Myaungmya and Tharpaung Townships in Ayeyawady Region, Tongzan, Teedim, Falam, Htantalan and Hakha Townships in Chin State and Naungcho, Lashio and Laukkai Townships and Kokang Self-Administered Zone in Shan State and other. The total number of people who died at the hands of the military council since the Feb Coup 1 has reached 890. No one can guarantee that the number of deaths caused by the Covid-19 may reach that number. Take a look at world history, the number of deaths caused by diseases is higher than that caused by wars. From the IDPs camp, EAOs area to big city faced this issue.
CONFLICTS
With the aim of ending the ongoing civil wars in Myanmar, both the army and 10 Ethnic Armed Organization (EAO) signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in the past decade. In addition to the efforts to solve the armed conflicts, Myanmar people made efforts to solve land disputes, resource-sharing conflicts, gender conflict, religious conflicts, environmental conflicts, technical conflicts and other conflicts.
After the coup, there have been fighting between the military council and armed organizations (the State actor Vs non-State actor), between the military council and the PDFs and between ethnic armed groups (non-State actor Vs Non-State actor). The regions and states see armed conflicts caused by the joint teams formed by the new ethnic armed groups and the PDFs. There are also fighting between people’s militia groups under the control of the military council, the Border Guard Forces and local ethnic armed groups (For instance, KNU Vs BGF and the PMF formed with Karen nationals).
There is news that military officers were shot dead by privates. The conflicts in which the public fight each other have emerged significantly. Among these conflicts, the latest conflict is the spread of hate speeches and fake and erroneous news on social media. Currently Myanmar sees different kinds of conflicts. But there is no way to solve each conflict. It seems that the already-existed means are forgotten. The sure point is that the current conflicts reach a total of 898 persons have been killed, 247 people imprisoned and 5,127 others in detention.
COUP by Military
The Feb 1 coup has a repercussion on 54 million Myanmar populations as well as on many foreigners. The UN Universal Human Rights Declaration says living the life by each human being is of great importance. Myanmar citizens have no such rights. Distrust and dissatisfaction are gradually rooted in the grass-roots. There is severe pressure of social contract between pro-military groups and pro-federal democracy supporters. This is the result of distrust and dissatisfaction between the military council and the public. It is sure that the situation will become worse as long as there are military coups.
The fact that occurs after the military coup is there are rancor among different groups. So, the fact that being unable to remedy political loss may lead to the civil war. Likewise, civil disobedience and the emergence of new armed groups cannot derail the path to the civil war. Due to the brutal arrests and tortures by the military council and the revolution of the people, the problems cannot be solved.
Before Feb 1, the people widely talked about peace and security in the regions and states. Now, the revolution against the military dictatorship has become a popular talking point. If it goes ahead, nobody will achieve anything. Will the military council return the leadership of civilian leaders to the public?
Since the country regained Independence on January 4th, 1948, Myanmar did not enjoy the taste of democracy for less than two decades. But they have long been living under the military dictatorship for 50 years as a pariah state. From the economic point of view, the country is not in a good position. Unemployment problems and hunger crisis are vividly seen in sub-urban areas of cities like Yangon and Mandalay. The chants of waging the final war by turning to the armed struggle mean by Myanmar people who have suffered the consequences of political instability for three generations is not a threat to the military dictator and group.
CIVIL WAR
There has been no one who reveals theoretically or practically whether the civil war begins or not. In most third world countries like Myanmar, the long-term development projects for 2030 are being implemented. Myanmar had had the 2018-2030 long-term projects. But now these projects are just the papers. At a time when other countries are laying down the plans to go outside the world, using technology, Myanmar people are facing the civil war which was popular in the 18th century. The international community is monitoring the situation between forward-lookers and backward-lookers with sympathy.
In the international arena, Myanmar and Myanmar people seem to be just like piteous sheep. Why? Because those with a modern view make a conclusion in their conscious and unconscious minds that Myanmar is at the civil war or it is sure to become a civil war. Take a look at the situations on the ground, all the townships in Kachin State see fighting. There are fighting between the army and all KNU brigades in Karen State, Mon State and Taninthayi Region. There were also reports of fighting in most of the townships in northern and Southern Shan State. Locals from townships in Sagaing and Magway Regions where there were no sounds of gunfire, are fighting against the military council with the guns used in the 19th century. In addition, Kayah and Chin States see fighting. There are shootings in cities like Yangon and Mandalay. There are still exchanges of fighting in Bago and Ayeyawady Region.
Review
Myanmar becomes a blatant country after the military coup. The country has collapsed into chaos when the Covid-19 is added to it. Under this circumstance, the conflicts (armed conflicts) have intensified nationwide. Although it is uncertain whether the civil war actually breaks out, the graduation of the G-Z youth who have undergone military training is held batch by batch. The current situations have impacts on the life of each Myanmar citizen whether they choose it on their own or not.
PART II
WHAT HAPPENNING IN THIS WEEK?
Chin State which is preparing for more organizing
According to the Chin World media, the Arakan Army (AA) is carrying out the forced recruitment of locals with a quota of three persons from one village in Pichaung village-tract composed of more than 30 villages sharing border with Bangladesh in the west of Paletwa Township in Chin State. Since 2019, the AA has set foot in Pichaung area in the west of Paletwa Township. Chin Youth Network called for the protection against the theft, trafficking and destruction of Chin traditional culture heritages owned by the IDPs, in Chin State which sees the rising conflicts.
The Chinland Defense Force (CDF) formed with Chin people, issued a statement that the CDF is not fighting for any political parties and for the country’s power and will carry out disarmament when the people’s government comes to power. The CDF will cooperate with all relevant organizations like the NUG, the CNF, the PDF and the CNDF and end the disunity. Locals are concerned about the resumption of fighting as the military council is making reinforcement of troops after the expiry of the ceasefire period. On July 5th, a police officer in Htantalan Township was shot dead by the CDF-Htantalan.
Arakan State with a full of concerns
Refugees are worrying about COVID-19 due to the lack of preventive measures at the IDP camps in Arakan State. The IDPs camps are facing difficulties such as a shortage of food and water and food poisoning. On the afternoon of June 30th, an unidentified group abducted U Aye Tun Maung, Aungtaing village administrator, near the Sittwe Township General Administration Office in Arakan State, according to the Narinjara News Agency. The reconstruction of houses in Letkar village in MraukU Township and Pharpyo village in Minbya Township, burnt down during the fighting, is being carried out with the assistance of the military council. According to the Rakhine Ethnics Congress (REC), more than 1,200 houses in 45 villages in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in Chin State, were burnt down during the fighting.
The consequence of disunity and Shan State
Fighting took place between the RCSS and the SSPP/TNLA in Kyaythei Township, in the south of Kyaukme Township in northern Shan State, citing regional security. On July 4th, there was a fighting between the military council and the KIA near Malone and Kyaungpyan villages. Since 2016, there have been fighting between the northern alliance group (the KIA, the TNLA, the MNDAA and the AA) and the military council in Manlone village. Locals from the entire village have been taking shelter at the KBC Camp-2 in Kutkai Township.
On July 4th, a farmer sustained gunshot injury due to the fighting between the RCSS/SSA and the SSPP/SSA, near Narhton village in Mongkaung village-tract in Kyethi Township, according to the Shan Hearld Agency for News. Locals are afraid as thorn traps made with bamboo were found in the tea plantation and roadside in Tawsan village-tract in Kyaukme Township in northern Shan State. One female died and one female got severe injury after stepping on a mine near Kaungkhar village in Lwelantin village-tract in Kyaukme Township.
More than 300 people from three villages were displaced by the fighting between the military council and the MNDAA near Phaungsaing village, east of Monekoe in Muse Township. In the first five days of July, 10 ownerless bodies were found in downtown Muse.
Kayah State which sees renewed fighting
Fighting took place between the KNPP/KA and the military council near Panlaung village in Loikaw Township on the morning of July 2nd. According to the statement by the Karenni Information Center (KnIC), the cause of fighting is that the military council is making the deployment of more troops in cooperation with the Border Guard Forces and the PNO, citing security. On July 3rd, fighting took place between the military council and the Karenni Army twice at about six kilometers, south of Loikaw.
Fighting also took place twice in Hpasawng Township on May 20 and 27. Since the coup, fighting between the KNPP/KA and military council has taken place five times in Kayah State, including three times during this week. Fighting between the military council and the KNPP, the KNDF, the KPDF and the PDF took place 27 times, leaving over 200 soldiers, 13 PDF members and 63 civilians dead. Five Catholic churches and more than 50 houses were damaged by fighting. The total number of IDPs has reached around 100,000, according to the statement by the PKPF.
At around 8 pm on July 4th, a man was shot dead by an unidentified group while he was in a house in Lawdhamma ward in Loikaw. According to the Kantarawaddy Times, a plan is under way to teach around 100 primary level children by 12 teachers at the IDP camps in the east of Demawso Township. These children have not been in the classrooms for around two years. The IDP officials are asking for the help as the majority of the female elderly, infants, mothers and children are suffering from different kinds of skin diseases.
Religiously affected Kachin State
On the morning of July 1, the military council (SAC) arrested 30 people who are preparing for a housewarming ceremony by force and opened fired in Minenar village of Waingmaw Township. On July 2, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attached military council troops with remote mine near the village of Tone Hone in Kayar Bum road of Doug Phone Yan. In response to this attack, the military council returned fire and 60-year-old man and his 3 year were wounded.
On July 5, according to the KNG news, the military council conducted a house-to-house search of the village and confiscated some firearms and cash in Lung Sha Yang village of Putao Township. In Ywa Thit Gyi village, Hopin Township, a man returning from an ox cart was shot dead by the military council.
The Kachin Baptist Church (KBC) has demanded the release of three pastors facing three years in prison for holding peace prayers. On the 4th July night, the military council raided a monastery by claiming that it was carrying out revolutionary activities and threatened the monks in the Thae Gone village near Hopin town, Moenyin district. KIA has closed the entry gates to their areas such as Mai Sat Par, Nar Ru, Sharmu Kong, and Mai Jar Yar due to the third wave of Covid-19 intensified across Myanmar. KNG news mentioned that the military council checking mobile phones by setting up wifi in Shwe Naung Pin check point near Waingmaw Township.
In Tanai township of Kachin State, Lt. Col. Kyaw Thiha, Battalion Commander of the 260th Infantry Division of the Military Council, inspected motorboats for security reasons. According to the reports, hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue are collected due to the prohibition of goods on the boat. KIA attacked the military council using mines near the Nant Maw village of Hpankant.
At 11pm on July 4 in Bamo District, KIA and Shwe Ku PDF jointly attacked the township police station in Shwegu town and the military council’ hide-out in Ngabatgyi village.
South Eastern (Karen, Mon, Tanitharyi)
On July 1st, the fighting between the BGF members took place on No.1 Bridge in Myawady Township in Karen State, leaving two BGF members dead and one severely injured. BGF-Cantonment-4, Battallion-1019 is a splinter group of the DKBA, in 2018. It is performing duties under the control of the army as the BGF. On July 1st, Company Commander Tin Win from the BGF-1014 Battalion met village elders from Noekwar, Maelan and Maelanchaungwa villages in Hpa-An Township and told them to perform military duties with a quota of one each from each village. The villagers said they can hire the persons if they themselves don’t want to perform military duties. The BGF will hire the person if the villagers pay money.
According to the KIC news agency, the soldiers and police members are asking for money after conducting the checks on the cars in Wawlay District in Myawady District in Karen State, citing the Covid-19. Due to the spike in the number of Covid-19 vibrant, the military council ordered the temporary shutdown of the basic education schools in Karen State from July 7 to 16, on June 6th, according to the KIC news agency. The KNU (Thaton District) issued a warning that locals would be allowed to go outside to buy the rations only on Friday and Saturday.
The official of the KNU (Thaton District) said the military council was consecutively committing the violations of human rights including the indiscriminate artillery shelling on the villages. In Palaw Township in Taninthayi Region, A bomb exploded at the house of a Latku village administrator who is accused of being a military informant. Col Saw Phaw Do becomes a successor to head of the KNU/KNLA Brigade-7 Brig-Gen Saw Jaw Phyu who passed away, while Lt-Col Saw Di Kyal is appointed as a tactical operation command. They are to officially perform their duties only when they get the approval from the KNU Defense Department.
On July 6th, due to the shooting by a group of armed persons on Lamaine-Kawkwat road in Yay Township in Mon State, two persons on motorbike got two gunshot injuries each, according to the Mon News Agency. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury sanctioned 22 wives and children of the top military leaders including the State Administration Council’s member Dr. Banyar Aung Moe and some members and some ministers.
Upper Myanmar (Mandalay, Magway and Sagaing)
On June 5th, two Pyusawhti members were shot dead in north Padaukgone village in Pale Township in Sagaing Region. On June 6th, a 51-year-old man who is believed to be the Pyusawhti head died of knife injuries in KhinU Township in Sagaing Region. The ThunderStorm formed to crackdown Pyusawhti claimed it carried out the attacks.
There were more than 30 fights between the military council and the PDF over three months in Kani Township in Sagaing Region, according to a statement by the Kani Township’s PDF on July 1st. A total of 27 PDF members and more than 100 soldiers were killed in the fighting. The fighting displaced more than 5,000 people from more than 50 villages, and 42 innocent people were arrested. A nine-year-old IDP child died of dengue fever. After the issuance of this statement, four dead bodies of civilians were found in some villages to the east of Kani Township.
A young cowboy brought an unexploded RPG in Sakarhmyartaung village of Kani Township. Due to the explosion of the RPG, three children—a two-year-old child, a 13-year-old child and a 35-year-old person — died on July 6th. A military vehicle was ambushed in Magyitaw village in YayU Township. After the mine attack, the fighting took place between the army and the PDF, killing one each from both sides. The military council has filed a case against protest leader Ko Man Zar Myay Mon in ChaungU Township, under five charges including Section 505(a) of the Penal Code. During the torture and interrogation, his fingers were broken.
On June 1st, the fighting took place between the military council and the Minkin PDF in Phetkhat village in Minkin Township where the entire people were displaced. Tamu Defense Force announced that it has started cooperation with the People’s Defense Force formed by the National Unity Government on July 1st. On July 2nd, the fighting took place between the military council’s logistics troops leaving Kachin State and the Katha District, in Kyaukaing Mountain near Indaw in Hteechaing of Katha District, leaving around 20 soldiers dead.
Similarly, the fighting took place in Kawlin Township adjacent to it. On July 4th, Katha PDF ambushed three military vehicles heading to Kawlin Township via Shwebo-Myitkyina road on July 4th. In the attack, 40 soldiers and three members of Katha PDF were killed. Local PDFs carried out the attacks in Katha, Kawlin and Hteechaing Townships in Sagaing which share a border with Kachin State, from July 1st to 3rd, in cooperation with the KIA.
On July 2nd, the fighting took place between the army and local PDF near Setpyarkyin village in Depayin Township in Sagaing Region, three times. The fighting took place when a joint-team of around 200 soldiers from LID-99 and LID-44 entered Setpyarkyin village in Depayin Township. In the attacks, 31 PDF members and 11 soldiers were killed. Among those killed are six university students. The military council’s troops carried out extensive searches in Setpyarkyin, Boke, Ohndin, Gyuntawgyi, Gyuntawlay, Inpin and nearby villages. A displaced woman died of snake bite.
At night on June 3rd, the fighting between the army and Kalay PDF took place in Covid-19-hit Kaly Township, for around two hours. Kalay Township in Sagaing Region has seen the rising number of Covid-19. From the early June to the early July, the total number of Covid-19 deaths has reached nearly 500, according to the RFA’s news. On July 5th, the Tamu PDF blew up a bridge between Tamu and Kalay which is mainly used by the army.
The military council arrested the son of car workshop expert U Win Myint and three workers in Padan village in Ngape Township in Magway Region as they did not find U Win Myint. On the morning of July 5th, local PDF carried out mine attacks on the military council’s troops near KyaukOh village in Pauk Township in Magway Region. One PDF member and six soldiers were killed in the attack. There were six times of fighting when the PDF members withdrew to Thetkalkyin, Kyauklake and NgatgyiU villages. One person from Thetkalkyin village died. Local PDF withdrew to Saw Township. There were encounters as the army fought the PDF. The fighting between the military council and the Kawlin PDF took place on the Kawlin-Shwebo road section in Sagaing Region at night on July 4th.
At night on July 2nd, ex-executive of the NLD and private school teacher U Moe Haing and wife Daw Su Su Hlaing were shot dead by the Pyusawhti which is a stooge of the military council, in Myingyan of Mandalay Region. On the morning of July 4th, a ward administrator appointed by the military council was shot dead in Swanlwan ward in Myingyan Township. On July 6th, the military council arrested seven persons including a 12-year-old child from Ohnpinchan village in Sintgaing Township in Mandalay. Before it, one soldier was killed in a shootout near TadaU airport and one PDF member was detained as the linkage.
Lower Myanmar (Yangon, Bago and Ayeyawady)
The military council made a raid on the housing of a Japanese embassy staff in Yangon on April 16th. At the second regular session of third Yangon Region Parliament held via online on July 5th, the proposal to extend a helping hand to non-CDM staff and the victims killed at the hands of the terrorist military council, was approved. A bomb exploded at the military-owned Mytel showroom near the Tamwe Mosque traffic post in Tamwe Township in Yangon Region. Two bomb blasts occurred in the electricity office near Shinparku hospital in Tamwe Township, on the evening of July 7th. On the morning of July 5th, a bomb exploded in a court near No.3 Main Road in cantonment Mingaladon Township in Yangon Region.
The military council detained more than 10 locals after three persons who are assumed to be informants got bullet injuries in Hlegu Township. As the army did not find Ko Aung Khant Phone, a member of Hlegu Township Students’ Union, it arrested his over 50-year-old father. Thousands of people who are living in the wards of Hlaingtharyar Township are facing tightened rules on the submission of overnight guest lists.
Yangon-Pyay railroad was destroyed by a mine explosion, near Muhtaw village near Hmawsar village in Pyay Township in Bago Region, according to the NMG. Three women were arrested in Pyay of Bago Region after the circulation of a video file on social media about the demonstration in the form of the funeral ceremony of the military council chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing whose birthday is July 3rd. At night on July 4th, a bomb exploded in the office of No.12 ward administrator on Zaylay road in Mawlamyine Township in Ayeyawady Region.
The military council opened the resident people’s militia unit at the administrator office and gave training there. Due to the explosion, one member of the people’s militia got injury to his thigh. There has been no statement about the formation of the PDF in Mawlamyinegyun Township. On July 1st, 20 Rohingyas from Arakan State, detained on June 21st in Bogale Township in Ayeyawady Region, were sentenced to one year in prison each by Bogale Township Court, on July 1st. They are under 18. They got arrested while leaving by boat. They had to pay Ks-7 million each to the broker to go to Malaysia.
National Unity Government
- NUG formed vice president Dawa Lashi la lead Humanitarian assistance and Disaster response committee
- Over 150 France MPs signed to recognize NUG as a legitimacy Government
- NUG send a message to 59 times of 7 JULY memory day
- NUG union minister meet japan MPs
- NUG Regular meeting ( 13/2021) was held via online
- People Defense force၊ Southern Regional Military Headquarters was held course no (5) closing ceremony
- State Councilor DASSK said she faced Improper procedures in trial
The Military Council
- Sr General MAH said they are preparing Myanmar not to alone by conducting Russia and China
- Myanmar’s junta bans senior telecom executives from leaving country
- The military Council is preparing to sell State-owned land and building
- Myanmar well known Gems business tycoon are helping to military Council
- Sr General Min Aung Hlaing Russia trip in ended
- Northern Command Commander Brigadier General Myat Thet Oo and Officer are infection’ Covid 19
- SAC demand not to called them as the military Council in Media
IDPs
Zaydipyin IDPs camp in Rathaedawn township, Rakhine face Food shortages in these days. The clashes between two Shan armed groups RCSS and SSPP in KyaeThe townships, Southern Shan State caused over 500 civilians flew to camps. On the other hand, the clash between RCSS and SSPP+ TNLA in NSS of KyaukMae townships, Topsann village track, OVER 700 villager flees again to temporary camp. Over 300 people from MongKoe, Muse townships trying to enter China terrority after the clash between military council and MNDAA but china doesn’t allow to pass, so they live in the temporary camp in border.
Local CSO and IDP supporting groups said that IDPs from karen state are still need medical support from donor. UNHCR release a statement and mentioned that over 2 million of Myanmar people are flee to internally and externally after coup. They also mention that, the refugee amount is amount is 20 % rise than MAY.
PEACE PROCESS
In the opening remarks at the PPST meeting on July 1, the chairman General Yawd Serk said that during the 5-month period in military council rule, there was a lack of stability and peace in the country and all the people were suffering and living in fear. He also said that the discussion will mainly focus to have consensus on the National Unity Government (NUG) and to review the PPST leadership role.
Since 29 June, General Yawd Serk (Ywet Sit), chairman of the Shan State Reconstruction Council (RCSS), is writing to members to resign as interim leader of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST), which is made up of 10 ceasefire groups. The 17th PPTS Summit was held on July 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th. Then, Nai Aung Min of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) was appointed as interim leader at the meeting. Nai Aung Min will temporarily lead until the end of second session of the 4th NCA-EAOs summit. The KNU chairman, Gen. Saw Mutu Say Po, was in charge of the PPST since its established in 2016 and he left from PPST in 2019 due to discussion over the NCA. Then, General Yawd Serk became the interim leader of the PPST, and the handed over power to Nai Aung Min from NMSP for the third time in two years.
Nai Aung Min, the new interim leader of the PPST, said that the fourth meeting of the NCA ceasefire group (second session) which was repeatedly postponed was scheduled to be held in the first week of August. The first session of the Fourth NCA-EAOs Summit was held from 14th to 18th May 2019 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Peace Process Steering Committee (PPST) has suspended talks with the military council. PPTS said it will continue the peace process through dialogue with the help of witnesses involved in the signing of the NCA. However, the individual party can have bilateral meeting with their own party policy.
INTERNATIONAL
UN Secretary-General calls for immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint. China has said it does not agree with international sanctions on the military council, despite US imposed further sanctions on members of the military leader’s family and related enterprises. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for political reconciliation in Myanmar. Myanmar Witness announces investigation into human rights abuses in Myanmar.
Human rights representative Thomas Andrew has pointed out international inaction in response to the Burmese crisis. He also mentioned that it is time to start implementing the ASEAN Five Principles to improve the situation in Myanmar and if not, civil war in Burma that could jeopardize regional security could happen.
Singapore’s foreign minister says they are working to implement the five ASEAN principles on Burma as soon as possible. Switzerland and Canada supported Sanctions on Burma Military Council and Germany and France also discussed about it. South Korea donates $ 800,000 to the World Food Program (WFP) to support the Rohingya community in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
SUMMARIZED CONCLUSION
The events that happened in the first week of June seem to indicate the direction of Myanmar. It can be said that the tensions between the concerned groups are a miracle that cannot be resolved. The international community is shaping the path of negotiation, but it is completely different from the domestic situation.
The current situation in Myanmar is escalating from the crisis of 54 million people in the country to the regional security. In the meantime, the third wave of Covid-19 also attacked the Myanmar people. Neither the military council nor the national unity government seems to be thinking at all whether the coup to be solved first? Civil war to be a priority or Covid -19 to be solved on their own way.
Looking at what happened last week, it can be seen that the people are the victims of any conflict. The aftermath of a desire for political power is dire. All the people know that the situation could get worse day by day, and there is no other way but to try to survive.