Showing 1 - 10 of 32
Anti-coup crackdown takes fatal turn
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 01/03/2021
» Myanmar's security forces have unleashed a concerted crackdown on the country's peaceful protesters leaving 23 dead and thousands injured throughout the country in the last two days. In planned pre-emptive strikes, the police moved ruthlessly to disperse and arrest protestors preparing to join yesterday general strike. "They used teargas, stun grenades and fired live ammunition indiscriminately into the crowds," said Soe Soe, a young university student at a protest site told the Bangkok Post.
Ethnic armies fight for a federal future
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 07/04/2021
» Myanmar's ethnic armies have effectively declared war on the country's military government, increasing the prospect of civil war. In the face of the army's continued violence against civilian protesters -- the death toll is now more than 600 in the last nine weeks -- many of the country's ethnic leaders felt impelled to take drastic action.
Peace process at risk of disintegrating
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 19/08/2020
» Myanmar's civilian government has made peace and national reconciliation a central platform of its administration since taking office in early 2016. But after almost five years very little has been achieved and the peace process is yet again precariously poised. The next stage -- the fourth round of the Panglong talks as Aung San Suu Kyi dubbed it after her historic electoral victory five years ago -- is scheduled to start today in the capital Nay Pyi Taw but is in danger of disintegrating into disarray.
Myanmar is 'ready' for the return of Rohingya
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 24/10/2019
» Myanmar wants the Rohingya refugees to return, and preparations have been made to receive them, according to the minister in charge of the process. "We will accept them back anytime," said Dr Win Myat Aye, Myanmar's Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.
The Panglong peace process is precariously poised
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 28/10/2019
» Myanmar's stalled peace process is precariously poised, and may now be in danger of falling apart all together, as mistrust and hostility between some of the ethnic groups and the military worsened significantly. The fragile relationships between the three key players deteriorated further on the eve of the anniversary of the signing of a key peace pact, and the hopes of kick-starting negotiations and bringing the groups back to the table took a tumble for the worst.
Surakiart's Rakhine mission no easy task
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 17/02/2018
» After a dramatically shaky start, Surakiart Sathirathai's international advisory group is getting down to tackle the Herculean task of trying to find practical solutions to Myanmar's tragic inter-communal violence. As the Myanmar government comes under increased criticism and international scrutiny, Mr Surakiart believes he and his team must help Myanmar look forward and produce a comprehensive and sustainable plan to restore peace, harmony and development to the country.
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.
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.
Suu Kyi should heed Pope's suggestion on UN role
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 04/12/2017
» Pope Francis' visit to Myanmar last week was an overwhelming success and may provide the much needed spark to ignite the government's peace process and its efforts to bring reconciliation to the country's violence-torn western region of Rakhine. The Pope's message was loud and clear: the only way forward for Myanmar was "love and peace", the title used for his visit.
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.