When my online calendar flashed a reminder for an event on the first weekend of January, I immediately made an online post greeting my friends in Myanmar “A Happy Independence Day.”
Our neighboring country in the ASEAN region marked its 77th year of independence from British rule on Jan. 4.
But that feeling of freedom was short lived, because 14 years later – in 1962 – government leadership was taken over by a military junta that lasted for over 50 years until the start of the last decade, apparently making the people of the country one of the most resilient people in the world.
I was a witness to the unclamping of the totalitarian leadership when I went to the country as a visiting lecturer in journalism and civic engagement in the capital city of Yangon in 2015.
Four months after my visit, the National League for Democracy toppled the ruling party in the election, a milestone considered to have restored democratic processes in the country.
My social media post this week greeting my friends on their independence day was favorably received as a number responded with their messages kc thanks and well wishes.
Deep inside, however, I wondered if they really feel happy, considering the turmoil their country is in now due to the prolonged civil war situation it has been facing.
I thought of a number of my friends and their kin who have sought refuge in neighboring Thailand, Singapore and other areas after the military junta grabbed power from NDL in February 2091 to regain control of the country.
The return of the military rule eventually escalated violence against civilians, particularly regime resistors, jailing, torturing or killing thousands of them for their defiance to the returning power after they had a taste of democratic life until the 2021 power grab.
In the third quarter of 2024, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights said that the death toll due to the escalating resistance since 2021 has reached about 5,500, while other media sources reported the death toll reaching as high as 50,000. Many of the fatalities perished in air and artillery attacks.
The return of the military junta eventually led to the coalition of ethnic armed groups which launched coordinated attacks on government forces, scoring considerable gains on various fronts.
The resistance and subsequent government action led to the displacement of about three million people, with observers calling the current situation “the forgotten crisis”.
Reports have shown that the action of ethnic groups against the military forces have resulted in mounting defeats for the latter.
A welcome development to some was the Independence Day announcement by the ruling party that the military is granting amnesty to nearly 6,000 prisoners “for humanitarian and compassionate reasons” and commuting the life sentences of 144 individuals to 15 years.
A ceasefire call has also been made by coalition forces as they urge neighboring China to do a peace broker’s role in the conflict.
It must be difficult to celebrate freedom day when civilian fear and displacement continue and ethnic groups all over are dreaming for liberation from the junta rule and the restoration of their rights regained in the not-so-distant past.
My prayers continue for the restoration of peace in that beautiful land.
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If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) | NWI
