Showing 11 - 20 of 40
Suu Kyi seeks support over Rakhine crisis
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 12/11/2018
» Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is attending the Asean meetings in Singapore this week, in which she will seek support from her Asian allies in dealing with the country's Rakhine crisis. She especially wants the members of the regional bloc to back her government's efforts to resettle the returning Muslim refugees -- who have fled the violence in the country's strife-torn Western region -- and to be involved in the country's future reconciliation efforts.
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.
Myanmar launches Rakhine 'fact finding' mission
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 02/08/2018
» Myanmar has established a commission of inquiry to probe the allegations of human rights abuses in the conflict-torn Rakhine state. The announcement was made earlier this week, as it faces growing international calls for investigate accusations of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya Muslims.
UN envoy averts possible military coup in Myanmar
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 23/06/2018
» A UN envoy has inadvertently acted as a peacemaker between Myanmar's top civilian leader, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and the army commander, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Tension between the two leaders has been simmering since their confrontation during a top-level security meeting two weeks ago over the government's handling of Rakhine, and the UN's role in the return of thousands of Muslim refugees who have fled to Bangladesh for safety.
Myanmar struggles with its Rakhine conundrum
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 14/06/2018
» In the face of relentless international criticism, Myanmar is struggling to develop a new strategy to cope with the problems of Rakhine, and the need for a reconciliation process. This week the government has been discussing their new approach with the UN secretary-general's newly appointed special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener -- a Swiss career diplomat, who also recently served as ambassador to Thailand.
Myanmar inches toward repatriation
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 04/06/2018
» Myanmar is ready to receive all the Muslim refugees who have fled to Bangladesh who want to return, according to senior government officials. Preparations are in place for their immediate return, said the minister in charge of the repatriation and resettlement programme.
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.
Myanmar govt faces its next Rakhine showdown
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 27/04/2018
» International pressure is again mounting on the Myanmar government over its treatment of ethnic communities in the strife-torn western region of Rakhine. Unprecedented violence there over the last 12 months has forced more than 700,000 Muslim refugees -- or Rohingya -- to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh for safety.
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.
Myanmar's peace process stumbles on
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 19/03/2018
» Myanmar's peace process is precariously poised with Panglong -- or the national peace conference as it is formally called -- set to meet in May. Several more ethnic groups -- including the Wa -- have agreed to sign the national ceasefire agreement (NCA). But, despite this, the peace process is in danger of disintegrating.