Showing 1 - 10 of 11
What's next after Yangon's constitutional reform?
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 17/06/2019
» Myanmar's ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), is preparing for an audacious attempt to change the constitution. The final steps are being taken before the plans are revealed to the parliament and the people. But the changes and the process being rolled out by the civilian government will upset the military, and an acrimonious confrontation between them seems inevitable.
Hopes rest on new president to reinvigorate govt
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 31/03/2018
» President Win Myint has been sworn in as Myanmar's new president, raising hopes that with him at the helm government administration will be strengthened and revitalised.
A bold new step in peace, reconciliation
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 22/08/2016
» The Myanmar government is making final preparations for the 21st Century Panglong Peace conference to be held at the end of the month. Several meetings between the government and ethnic groups over next week will settle arrangements for the massive event that will see almost all ethnic groups participate.
Myanmar's peace process looks precariously poised
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 16/07/2016
» Tomorrow's critical talks between Myanmar's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of the armed ethnic groups, who have yet to sign the national ceasefire agreement (NCA), could put paid to the planned "Panglong" peace summit at the end of August. Weeks of preparation have brought the peace process to the brink of a significant break-through.
Euphoria subsides as new govt takes helm
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 31/03/2016
» Myanmar's new president Htin Kyaw has been sworn in this week, along with the new cabinet. It is indeed a historic moment, as the country's first democratic government since 1958 takes office tomorrow. But the euphoria that surrounded the National League for Democracy's overwhelming election victory last November is now slowly subsiding, as the enormity of the task facing the new government is rapidly being realised.
Myanmar starts new parliamentary era
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 01/02/2016
» Myanmar's new members of parliament are convening in the legislature Monday. The first session since their election in November last year, this marks a significant step in Myanmar's road to full and genuine democracy.
Democratic era dawns on the generals
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 10/11/2015
» Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), are heading for a historic landslide victory in Sunday's elections. Although the official results are days away -- the charismatic pro-democracy leader seems certain to control the lower house, and may even have an absolute majority in the parliament as a whole.
Stalled reforms herald a bleak future
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 10/12/2014
» With elections planned for this time next year, Myanmar's future is at a critical crossroads. At the same time, there is increased confusion over attempts to change the constitution and introduce proportional representation rather than the first past the post system as in previous elections.The speaker of the lower house Shwe Mann has announced there will be a referendum in May next year on some proposed amendments to the constitution, but that the charter will remain relatively unchanged before next year's election.Meanwhile, the National League for Democracy (NLD) is continuing its campaign to change the constitution, although it concedes this is unlikely before the next election.
Army key to Myanmar’s political future
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 27/03/2014
» As the country celebrates Armed Forces Day, Myanmar’s president Thein Sein is in the throes of making an unusually decisive move aimed at ending the current political impasse. Everything is currently stalled, with the government and bureaucracy paralysed by the absorption with constitutional change and the growing preoccupation with the forthcoming elections next year.
Hardliners sulk as Suu Kyi shines
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 22/02/2012
» Much is riding on the outcome of the forthcoming polls in Myanmar, and more particularly the way in which these by-elections are conducted.