Compared to the pre-2010 military dictatorship, under a largely civilian-run system, the majority of people in Myanmar have enjoyed expanded freedoms of expression and assembly, the right to vote and political representation, and increasing business and education opportunities, together with unrestricted international exposure and internet access. Many have taken to social media platforms not only to express their disbelief, fear, and anger, but also to mobilize for collective nonviolent resistance.Īlthough the country’s liberalization in the past 10 years has stagnated at times, and systematically excluded many ethnic and religious minority groups, it has nonetheless brought unprecedented political rights and economic opportunities to a large swath of the population. In response, Burmese communities in Myanmar and abroad have refused to stay silent. With surgical steps straight out of a coup textbook, the Tatmadaw has done the following in just one week: conducted night arrests of major opposition political figures across the country, assembled a State Administrative Council with Min Aung Hlaing at its helm, filled the majority of ministerial posts, filed charges against the de facto civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and de jure President Win Myint, curtailed freedom of expression on social media, repeatedly cut off phone and internet connections, and imposed martial law across major cities. Whichever factors flipped the switch, a revival of military dictatorship is materializing fast for the people of Myanmar. Others emphasize the Tatmadaw’s demand for respect, which the ruling party - the National League for Democracy - has outright denied by refusing to investigate the military’s claim of voter fraud in the November 2020 general election.
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Some highlighted the Tatmadaw’s insecurity over its future status, since the popularly-elected civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi has attempted to reduce the military’s political authority.
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Many observers of the country’s political history have offered explanations for why the coup occurred at this moment.