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In the 2020 general election, the Mon Unity Party made a strong showing, encouraging hopes of a political breakthrough. These were abruptly ended by the February coup of the State Administration Council. Since this time, Mon politics have become divided. Amidst countrywide breakdown, some leaders have accepted cooperation with the SAC, others declare support for the opposition National Unity Government, while others urge caution for the Mon people. In these two commentaries, Kun Wood and Min Naing Soon analyse the dilemmas facing the Mon movement, explaining why lessons from history need to be learned.
These commentaries are intended to contribute to a broader understanding of the many challenges facing the country and its peoples.
See the complete list of all the Myanmar commentaries.
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The Need to Review Mon Politics: An Eighth-Month Journey under Dictatorship
A Myanmar Commentary by Kun Wood
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Public gathering for MUP 2020 general election campaign, Ye township
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It has been eight months since the military coup in Myanmar, and the situation remains very serious. Mon State is one territory in the country that has suffered greatly from this crisis. Social, economic, healthcare and education systems have broken down; the people are facing daily difficulties in their livelihoods; and many lives have been lost. The generals are good at talking but take no actions for the benefit of the people. Meanwhile the country is sinking ever deeper into poverty.
In the meantime, the struggle to bring down dictatorship is continuing in line with the desire of the people for democracy. But dead bodies are the only measure that have increased in the country. The third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic occurred at the same time as the military coup. But, since the military rulers prepared nothing for the pandemic, many people have died; the generals only sought advantage. The whole country has suffered from the negative consequences, and Mon State is suffering as well. The result eight months after the coup are tears, grief, homelessness, the deaths of innocents, broken families, a lost young generation, and countless fallen stars who died before their time.
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The Current Crisis in Myanmar: The Different Political Position of the Mon People
A Myanmar Commentary by Min Naing Soon
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1,000-strong protest march against the SAC coup, Mawlamyine, Mon State capital
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It has been more than half a year since the military State Administration Council seized control of the government. The SAC leaders said that they took political power in accordance with the law. However, as peoples of all nationalities believe that the national armed forces (Tatmadaw) may seek to govern under military rule for many more years, different forms of non-violent protest movement quickly broke out across the country. These struggles are continuing.
Before political transition began in Myanmar in 2011, the military regime had full authority in the country. There was no freedom in daily life. Therefore people say that they do not want to live again under military leaders who are self-centred and only concerned about their personal positions. For this reason, the public in Myanmar have desired to show their opposition towards a political system where a military regime will become dominant once again. The outcome is the conduct of what has become globally recognised as a “revolution against military dictatorship”.
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