Four years later, Myanmar’s nightmare continues

• Four years after the military coup on February 1, 2021, Myanmar is facing a severe crisis, with fragmentation, no peace, and a deteriorating economy.

• The country is divided into three zones, with the central part under military control and peripheral areas largely occupied by the resistance.

• The military has been involved in armed battles, with the National Unity Government (NUG) coordinating the resistance.

• The military has arrested 28,405 people, killed 6,224 people, and internally displaced over 3.3 million people.

• Independent sources report brutal attacks and unlawful killings by the junta, and damage to military personnel.

• ASEAN’s role in the crisis is uncertain, with the UN outsourcing the responsibility of mediation to ASEAN.

• Some experts argue that Myanmar’s neighbours, China, India, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Laos, must take action due to the ongoing crisis.

• Challenges include control of borders with India and Bangladesh, lack of trust between India and China, and stress on India-Bangladesh relations.

• China has increased its influence since the coup, making it the only outside power with the means, capacity, and motivation to influence Myanmar’s internal conflicts