Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Peoples' power versus military might
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 25/02/2021
» Millions and millions of protesters swarmed onto the streets throughout Myanmar earlier this week in an overwhelming rejection of the military's seizure of power. Despite dire threats and warnings from the country's coup leader, the army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, marchers thronged the thoroughfares even in small towns to demonstrate their deep support for democracy and their rejection of the coup.
Pandemic poll drives reform demands
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 04/11/2020
» Myanmar goes to the polls on Sunday in a critical election that will determine the country's future direction. At issue is the country's fragile political balance -- between the civilian government and the still very powerful military -- and more importantly, give renewed impetus to the current government's drive to reform the country and the constitution. This election gives the voters the chance to decide whether the National League for Democracy (NLD) government, led by the charismatic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, will be given a renewed mandate to push forward on the country's tentative reform path and strengthen its democratic institutions.
Vote vs Virus
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 05/10/2020
» Myanmar's national elections are set to go ahead in just over four weeks even though the country is reeling from a second wave of Covid-19 that shows no signs of abating any time soon.
Suu Kyi faces spotlight in Rohingya genocide trial
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 11/12/2019
» Today, international attention is firmly focused on Aung San Suu Kyi as she faces the judges in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague and presents Myanmar's side of the story.
Power play
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 18/03/2019
» Myanmar is coming under increased pressure from China to resolve the thorny issue of the Myitsone dam. Work on the massive hydroelectric project in northern Kachin state was suspended by the former government of Thein Sein in 2011 after strong protests.
Ethnic parties give wake-up call to NLD
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 06/11/2018
» Analysts are poring over the results of Myanmar's by-elections which took place on Saturday, vainly trying to read the tea leaves, and perhaps reading too much into them. But it was certainly a wake-up call for both major parties -- the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) and the previous governing party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) -- but the lessons that can be drawn for the future are limited.
Getting Myanmar moving
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 22/10/2018
» Myanmar's economic outlook is extremely bleak, say many regional experts, and local business sentiment continues to slide downward. And with foreign investment down substantially from last year, future growth is likely to fall short of government targets.
Myanmar's peace hangs in the balance
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 22/10/2018
» Myanmar's peace process is finely balanced, after the latest round of talks failed to produce anything of substance. Sitting comfortably and very relaxed, the chairman of the Myanmar ethnic rebel group, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), Yawd Serk was happy to offer his insights into the recent summit between the government and the leaders of the ethnic groups, which have signed the national ceasefire agreement (NCA). Reflecting on the meeting he simply said "very tense". The other ethnic leaders in attendance had a similar opinion: "high drama" according to one, on condition of anonymity.
Security Council visit raises spectre of ICC
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 05/05/2018
» The United Nations Security Council's visit to Myanmar earlier this week has raised the spectre of increased international involvement in its refugee crisis, including referring it to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Although the delegation's main priority was seeing firsthand the government's efforts to prepare for the return of the Muslim -- or Rohingya -- refugees from Bangladesh, inevitably it also raised the need to investigate the causes of the mass exodus.
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.