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Myanmar's democratic transition

The 2015 elections are seen as a crucial test of the credibility of reforms begun in 2011, when the junta stepped aside to make way for a quasi-civilian regime dominated by former generals. Democracy icon Aung San suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) party are expected to make big gains at the polls - the first general election they have fought since they swept 1990 polls. The then-junta ignored the result. However the current constitution bars Suu Kyi from running in a presidential election, due to the foreign nationality of immediate members of her family. Since coming to power, the civilian government led by President Thein Sein has improved relations with the West while reducing its dependence on long-time backer China.

Myanmar's democratic transition

Myanmar election to be held by January, junta chief says

The vote would be ‘free and fair’ he said during a state visit to Belarus, inviting the eastern European country to observe the election.

Myanmar junta criticises Argentina arrest warrant

Myanmar military junta extends mandate to rule by 6 months

In Asia’s forgotten war, reluctant rebels mark 4 years of bloody chaos

For thousands of guerilla fighters, the dream of a free Myanmar still burns bright – even after four years of ruinous civil war.

Myanmar junta air strike on market kills 15 civilians, ethnic rebel group says

The junta has been accused of carrying out multiple attacks on civilian targets as it struggles to quell resistance to its 2021 coup.

Anwar’s pick of Thaksin as adviser raises fears of ex-PM favouring Myanmar junta

Myanmar resistance groups are concerned that the former Thai leader will align his business interests with those of the military junta.

‘A long way to go’: India struggles to match China’s Myanmar outreach

China’s bigger role as a peace mediator has sparked concerns about the impact on India’s infrastructure projects in Myanmar.

Asian Angle | Is Myanmar’s Arakan Army capable of governing Rakhine state?

The Arakan Army has made military gains in Rakhine but it’s likely to face challenges in addressing residents’ socio-economic needs.

China pushes to secure Myanmar’s military a seat at the table as junta falters

Concerned by a potential power vacuum, Beijing is hoping to shape Myanmar’s trajectory as the generals’ grip weakens.

Editorial | Stability in Myanmar paramount for China

Emphasis is on Beijing playing role of mediator and provider of solutions in relations with Asean members.

Does China think Myanmar junta is key hurdle to peace talks over civil war?

Analysts say junta lacks capacity and influence to organise fair and free election despite pressure from Beijing to ‘change gears’.

Myanmar’s ‘fight to the death’: junta and its criminal warlords vs everyone else

The country is in the grips of one of the world’s most violent conflicts amid deep rifts within the military – and Asean’s response.

‘Political tool’: Japanese zoo urged to reject elephants from Myanmar’s junta

Myanmar’s junta has maintained links with Japanese government agencies and companies since its 2021 coup.

Myanmar junta chief says sorry after 78-year-old Buddhist abbot shot to death

The head of a monastery that had publicly opposed the military’s 2021 coup was shot dead while travelling through the Mandalay region.

Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi has been incommunicado for over 3 years, family says

Suu Kyi’s son Kim Aris told Italian media the family had not heard from Myanmar’s former leader since she was ousted and arrested in 2021.

Myanmar’s figurehead vice-president steps down for health reasons

Henry Van Thio, who served in elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and continued in position after she was ousted by military in 2021, is stepping down for unspecified health reasons, state media reported.

Video | Three years on: China’s role in Myanmar’s civil war

Video | The young women on the front line against Myanmar’s junta

Thailand accused of ‘piggybacking’ Myanmar by leading talks with junta

Several Asean member states are believed to be upset with Thailand for organising direct talks with Myanmar.

Myanmar rebels, battling junta, seek to control border with India

Chin rebels will now look to consolidate their control along the India-Myanmar border, where the Myanmar military has two more camps.

‘War crime’: huge unguided bomb used in Myanmar strike, Amnesty says

The incident on Monday night saw 29 bodies and 56 wounded pulled from debris at a camp near the northern town of Laiza, on the border with China.

Asian Angle | Can Asean stay united and work with stakeholders to end Myanmar crisis?

The decisions reached on Myanmar at the recent Asean summit indicate greater cohesion among member states and not yielding to the junta’s demands.

‘We want to go home’, plead Rohingya in Bangladesh 6 years after exodus

Budget cuts forced the UN to steeply reduce aid to the camps this year – where malnutrition was already rampant – rations are now just US$8 a month per refugee.

UK police question ex-Myanmar ambassador over residence row

In 2021, diplomats close to the junta seized the embassy in London and refused access to Kyaw Zwar Minn – a supporter of Aung San Suu Kyi’s overthrown government – and he hasn’t left the ambassador’s residence since.

Will Myanmar crisis derail East Timor’s efforts to join Asean?

East Timor has been a strong advocate of democracy, but has also had to moderate its views in order to gain Asean membership.

Opinion | How Thailand can draw closer to China despite US elephant in the room

For a start, the Thai military should focus on regional peacekeeping with China, especially in Myanmar, and Thailand must remain a safe haven for investment, particular Chinese.

Myanmar’s junta pardons Aung San Suu Kyi, postpones election it promised

Myanmar’s ex-leader will be pardoned for five of the 19 offences for which she was jailed for a total of 33 years following the 2021 coup. Former president Win Myint was also pardoned.

Malaysia, Philippines leaders discuss Myanmar-Asean engagement

Malaysia – a vocal critic of the junta – and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have previously rejected any possibility of dialogue because of human rights issues.