Myanmar is in crisis. The once controversial but free nation was rocked to its core in early February when the military turned against the very democracy they were supposed to protect. The military, known as the Tatmadaw, alleged without evidence that the November elections were rife with fraud. In response, armored vehicles and military personnel marched through the streets as members of the popular National League for Democracy were arrested, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu and President Win Myint, along with numerous parliament members. The Tatmadaw's move came a day before parliament was supposed to certify the election results, which would have meant fewer seats for the military and its allies. A month later, it is clear that Myanmar's democracy is slipping back into a military dictatorship, as the military has officially taken the reigns, appointing Commander in Chief Min Aung Hlaing as the de facto leader of Myanmar.
The coup, though shocking, was always a possibility. The Tatmadaw, though officially loyal to the democratically elected government, has always been troublesome. The military's attitudes towards democracy have long been the source of distrust in the country. Myanmar only became recently, and civilian leadership was lacking until Aung San Suu won immense support in the 2015 elections, shocking military leaders at their lack of popularity. At the time, the head of the army promised to ensure a peaceful and constitutional government would exist, but even then, the government's success was far from guaranteed. Years prior, the military nullified Aung San Suu's victory in 1988 despite its vast public support. Still, a tentative peace was arranged.
As time went on, there was a slow transfer into democratic rule, but the military remained a constant concern. With veto power over constitutional amendments and a guaranteed quarter of the parliament's seats, the military held immense sway. Add in allegations of military profiteering, and the relationship between the government has remained rocky. Indeed, Myanmar's name came from General Saw Maung, which has caused the name itself to be a source of controversy.
By 2017, the military was the subject of controversy that put the civilian under intense scrutiny. Having ramped up its attacks against Rohingya, a Muslim minority in the country. Incidents of rape, murder, and genocidal attacks began to spread rapidly, further complicating the military's role in the country.
Turn back to the modern-day, and multiple countries have denounced the military coup for its overthrow of the government. The Biden administration announced sanctions on military officials involved in the coup. The United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet has also called on the military to stop their crackdowns on protesters, but so far, the military is not listening.
In Mandalay, troops have occupied universities, hospitals, and other locations. Hospitals are reported to be of particular importance, as troops can arrest wounded patients they presume to be protesters. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reported that 54 people had been killed since the coup's beginning. On Sunday, police in Bagan, the former capital, opened fire on protesters. Arrests have also galvanized increased opposition in Yangon, the country's biggest city, where the military police arrested 200 students. The protests have put further pressure on the police and the military, but what happens next remains a mystery.
As the situation evolves, the challenge of responding to the increasingly common military incursions will fall onto the entire international community. It will take time before a common response is established, but in the meantime, the people of Myanmar still struggle.