31-1-2024 (YANGON) Myanmar’s military rulers extended the state of emergency that has been in place since the coup of 2021, as they continue to grapple with a violent pro-democracy rebellion that has severely tested their ability to govern.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing deemed it necessary to prolong emergency rule for an additional six months in order to carry out tasks necessary for restoring stability and peace to the nation, according to military-run media outlet Myawaddy’s Telegram channel.
The military junta is currently facing its most significant challenge since seizing power of the former British colony in 1962. What began as a youth-led pro-democracy uprising has transformed into an armed resistance movement following a brutal crackdown on protests and dissent following the coup.
In an attempt to suppress militias aligned with a shadow government and ethnic minority armies, the junta has deployed heavy artillery and fighter jets. In October, several of these groups launched a coordinated offensive that caught the military off guard and undermined their credibility on the battlefield. Approximately 2.3 million people have been displaced as a result, according to the United Nations.
Efforts by Myanmar’s Southeast Asian neighbors to initiate dialogue have yielded no progress, as the junta refuses to negotiate with what it labels as “terrorists.”
The decision to extend the state of emergency comes on the eve of the third anniversary of the military’s seizure of power. The coup was justified by the military citing unaddressed electoral irregularities, abruptly ending a decade of fragile democracy and economic reform.
The military’s takeover occurred just a few months after a landslide election victory by Aung San Suu Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy (NLD). The NLD had plans to amend the constitution to diminish the military’s influence in politics and bring it under civilian control.
While the military has promised to hold elections and restore Myanmar to a quasi-civilian system, it has disbanded over 40 political parties and imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi for 33 years (later commuted to 27) on charges that her supporters claim are fabricated.
Earlier on Wednesday, the military announced an easing of registration requirements for political parties without providing a reason. However, no timeframe was given for the upcoming elections, and Western countries have already indicated that they will not recognize the legitimacy of these polls.
The parallel National Unity Government, which controls various militias, issued a statement on Wednesday along with three ethnic minority rebel groups expressing their willingness to engage in negotiations with the military. However, they made it clear that such negotiations would be contingent upon the military relinquishing power and bringing the armed forces under civilian control.
Richard Horsey, senior Myanmar adviser to Crisis Group, highlighted the military’s vulnerabilities in recent months, with significant losses of troops and territory and mounting pressure on coup leader Min Aung Hlaing from within their ranks.
“The military’s hold on power is more uncertain than at any time in the last 60 years,” Horsey stated. “But it seems determined to fight on and retains an enormous capacity for violence, attacking civilian populations and infrastructure in areas it has lost using air power and long-range artillery.”
