Myanmar’s military coup leaders have made a surprise call for their opponents to lay down their weapons and engage in political dialogue, in an effort to resolve the ongoing conflict in the country. The State Administration Council (SAC), as the military calls itself, urged ethnic armed groups and People’s Defence Forces (PDF) fighting against military rule to abandon the “terrorist way” and start political discussions. The offer was swiftly rejected by the National Unity Government (NUG), which was formed in response to the coup.
The SAC, which seized power in February 2021, has faced significant pressure from ethnic armed groups and the PDF, who have taken control of parts of the country and launched major offensives against the military. The SAC has also faced widespread opposition from the international community, as well as human rights groups, for its violent crackdown on protests following the coup.
While the military has promised to hold new elections, many view its efforts as a ploy for false legitimacy, especially after new election laws were introduced that excluded the NLD and other political parties. Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the NLD, has been sentenced to 27 years in prison following secret trials considered politically motivated.
Civil society groups have warned that the SAC’s elections are not a solution to the crisis caused by the coup and have called for genuine dialogue and a return to democracy. The international community has also been urged to recognize the military’s tactics as part of a long-standing playbook used to maintain control. The situation in Myanmar remains precarious, with ongoing violence and human rights abuses continuing to be reported.
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