CNI Article
21 February 2025
Myanmar had used parliamentary democracy until 1960 since it gained her independence on 4 January 1948 and it emerged as a developing country, a Southeast Asian tiger amidst the civil war.
Although democratic norms were used in those years, federal norms were weak and requests for correction or addition were still under discussion.
Meanwhile, armed elements with various ideologies were able to capture most areas of the country and the U Nu government was able to govern around and in Yangon only in 1949.
However, the U Nu government was elected by the people, it had won the public and international support. That is why, the Indian government supported arms and ammunition to the Myanmar Tatmadaw which fought back against armed elements called colorful rebels.
During the civil war, Myanmar's levels of education, economy, social and health were so high that it was necessary to negotiate and implement federalism only. At that time, leaders considered that only when a federal union could be established, did everyone enjoy equal rights and were discussing matters regarding the establishment of a federal union. Meanwhile, the Myanmar Tatmadaw led by U Ne Win staged a coup d'etat, saying the country could disintegrate by building federalism.
Taking lessons from above-mentioned situations, Thailand and Singapore built their countries and today, their countries have been much more developed than Myanmar. So,
reviewing the current situation in Myanmar and drawing lessons, armed, political, civil elements, the ruling class and the ruled class should find a solution to how Myanmar should be established.
Instead of taking lessons and trying to build the country, elements inside Myanmar are shouting the words "democracy and federal" without letting it out of their mouths, just for the sake of organizing. But they were building their interests on their brain, pointed out some people. Many thoughts and doubts arose among the public whether they really wanted to build a democracy or a federal union.
Before the ability to reach a certain situation for the establishment of a federalism although the discussions have taken several decades, some elements are making preparations to gain a level beyond the federalism or to establish a country of their own.
With slogans saying protecting and preserving democracy, building a federal union, and eradicating the military dictatorship and no discussion for blood debt, armed elements were going, but on the ground, they are going toward meeting and discussion and trying to strengthen the situations they have gained.
In any case, although people have to sacrifice their lives, blood and sweat for the organizational words called democracy and federalism, when organizers have the interests on their brain , democracy and federalism are ignored and they are left with the history.
Of 192 countries in the world, there are only 28 countries that use federalism and in some of them, civil wars are breaking out again and the issues of secessionism remain unresolved to this day. These problems, for example, are taking place in India, Ethiopia, Somalia, Iraq, Pakistan and Sudan.
How should we find a solution to the current situation? Some people are considering looking for an exit by dividing three powers that are maintained by one person after a general election is held. Others are considering looking for a new condition after rooting out the military dictatorship.
Even after the election, if the exit cannot be found, who will take the accountability, which some people are questioning.
On the other hand, the idea of rooting out the military dictatorship is very unlikely to put it into practice, when leaders concerned have to attend the discussion because they are not able to root out the doctorship, how will those who shouted the slogan saying they would fight to make the dictatorship end take the accountability for those who sacrificed their lives, which some people are questioning.
Among these conditions, Myanmar citizens are gradually losing confidence in the ruling class, political parties, political elements and armed forces and trying to leave the country.
They believe they will find their better future only when they can leave the country.
So, those who are talking about federalism and democracy are having their interests on their brain, which the public is considering. How will it be remedied?
