Linn Maung
Dictatorias and military takeovers seldom result in positive outcomes. But since February 2021, have there been any army takeovers that have resulted in more completely catastrophic outcomes than what the people of Myanmar have experienced? The junta head, Gen Min Aung Hlaing, and his bloodstained cronies take a serious hammering for simple, brutal ignorance and wickedness.
However, they are receiving a severe beating from armed ethnic minority organisations that have long fought policies that discriminate against Buddhist-majority governments, as well as from civilian resistance groups in Myanmar known as the people’s defence forces. Large portions of the nation have been overtaken by a massive operation that started in October, forcing the junta troops to surrender and desert in droves.
The army’s confidence has been shattered by these losses. There has allegedly been open criticism of its leadership, and morale is low. The generals, though, aren’t giving up. They prolonged a state of emergency last week in defiance of fresh Western sanctions. Recent reports add to the long list of war crimes that have been officially documented by mentioning a rise in indiscriminate air and artillery attacks on civilians.
According to UN estimates, there are 2.6 million internally displaced persons in Myanmar, with two thirds of the country experiencing war. Almost 4,500 people have lost their lives. There are over 20,000 prisoners. About 18.6 million people, or one-third of the population, are currently in need of humanitarian aid—a 19-fold increase since 2020. Not to include the 750,000 Rohingya Muslims that left 2017 to avoid brutal executions, rapes, and village burnings was a genocide.
The ceaseless suffering of Myanmar signifies a significant breach by the global community in maintaining UN accords and basic human rights. Although the US, Britain, and other western democracies may face criticism for not going far enough, their influence is constrained. It is also shameful that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is unable or unwilling to act decisively. A few of the members actively collaborate with the regime.
The most shocking, albeit predictable, aspect of China’s actions is its self-serving position, which puts the country’s interests before of justice and the law. Beijing has often engaged in double-dealing in Myanmar, supporting ethnic rebels at times and administrations at other times. Its current, modest goals are to safeguard the enormous investments it made in the Belt and Road Initiative, reduce cross-border crime, and prevent effects of war.
President Xi Jinping, who frequently lectures the west about not meddling in the internal affairs of other countries, takes a similar stance. However, China and Russia, its close ally and major armaments supplier, have unparalleled influence in Myanmar and really frequently meddle there for self-serving commercial gains. China’s actions are blatantly inconsistent with its obligations as the dominant regional power and prospective global giant.
In North Korea, another rogue state that China has significant sway over, a similar dynamic exists. Beijing is North Korea’s largest food supply, economic partner, and important diplomatic and political ally. Kim Jong-un uses Beijing as his primary trading partner. He probably wouldn’t have his regime intact without China.
So why does Xi just stand by as Kim intensifies his rash missile testing programme tied to nuclear weapons, the most recent of which took place last week? His enjoyment of the ensuing discomfort in South Korea and Japan is suspected by Western observers. Another factor might be that Kim’s antics divert US focus away from Taiwan.
However, in the grand scheme of things, China is leading by example in a disastrous way. The spread of nuclear weapons poses a threat to all humankind. Kim’s threats to nuke his neighbours and launch intercontinental ballistic missiles towards the US mainland are extremely dangerous and destabilising. Furthermore, China is not exempt. China has to take the initiative now that it has greatly profited from the US-led global security order as a developing nation. Power entails accountability.
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