Since my last post about the ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar conditions has continued to deteriorate. This wave of unrest began when the military performed a coup d'etat and arrested the civilian leaders of the nation. Myanmar has a complex history with its government and military and for most of its time as an independent country, the military was running it. It was not until 2011 that the tide began to change and civilian rule came into play.
Fast-forwarding to the current day when the military took over in February citizens immediately began to resist. The most interesting way that they did this in my opinion was when workers were calling in sick creating a stalemate of business. When this did not work the citizens began to hold protests throughout the country but the military tried and continues to try to squash them with brute force.
The violence was minimal at first with it mostly being contained to mass arrests. However, then the shooting started. For the first few weeks, the shooting of protestors was really just against adults and while countries protested against this violence nothing changed within the country. March 25st though a 7-year-old girl was shot while running to her father. The outrage was swift and worldwide as people decried around the globe that this was happening. Even the countries that had tried to stay in the middle spoke out against it.
Compounding this issue further was that a one-year-old child was shot in the face with a rubber bullet and other children were as well. Sanctions were imposed by many governments across the globe however Myanmar has only recently had sanctions lifted against them so they are used to issues with international trade.
Making matters worse is that the Burmese Air Force actually has bombed some of their own people who are in a region of the country that has previous separatist activity. While other countries locked down their borders with Mynamar China had not done that yet. Due to Chinas initial lack of condemnation of the coup and the violence citizens of Mynamar have taken their anger with the Chinese government out on Chinese businesses themselves. Factories were set on fire businesses vandalized really it was gotten out of hand in serval parts of the country.
This though has finally gotten China's attention and they are now condemning and locking down their border. The Chinese mainland has for a while now been isolated from turmoil due to the intense government regulation/repression. With Mynamar looking like it could spiral into a civil war the Chinese are concerned and thus finally taking steps to isolate themselves from their neighbor. Sadly, China has for a while now taken the approach of countries that can do what they want as long as the money and goods continue to flow. With the money and goods in jeopardy now China finally decides to speak up and at least on face value speak out against it.
Hundreds of protesters have now died and thousands more arrested. March 27th, Armed Forces Day in Myanmar, alone had over 100 protestors killed and troops even set people on fire according to reports. The violence has reached the port that citizens have even come out and said that the treatment of people has outraged them to the point that they no longer fear the military and are willing to die.
Whether you agree or disagree the people of the country are starting to take matters into their own hands. Armed groups who have previously battled the military over the history of Myanmar have recently been voicing about joining together against the military, the common enemy. These groups range in both religious beliefs and cultures which it a nice thing to see. This along with defections from mainly the police have given some hope to the hopeless and defenceless ordinary citizens.
