Mohammad Amjad Hossain :
It seems to be interesting to note that ASEAN summit that was held in Brunei Darussalam on 11 October this year excluded the Myanmar coup leader General Aung Hlaing since there is not much progress toward solution of political impasse in Myanmar while he is reported to be blaming political leaders for such action. In fact, ASEAN withheld coup leader for participation in the summit of ASEAN since there was not much progress in five points agreement signed by coup leader in April this year. Now he is reported blaming political leaders and also declared ban meeting by ASEAN envoys with Aung San Suu Kyi. It is true that political leaders are organizing protest demonstrations all over Myanmar but in the process many innocent people have become victims of brutality of armed forces. As of now 739 have succumbed to death since the coup d’etat took place on 1st February, 2020 while 3,300 people were detained. Al Jazeera is reported on October 19 that coup leader has been compelled in a dramatic way to release hundreds of political prisoners on 19 October 2021 following boycotting coup leaders for participating in ASEAN summit on 11 October this year. In fact 5600 political prisoners were reportedly released.
There was a dramatic development in Myanmar on 18 October this year when the coup leader released political leaders including Aung San Suu kyi.
The release of political prisoners appears to be a positive development in Myanmar, according to Amnesty International. It seems to be the effect of ASEAN decision to boycott leaders to attend the summit of ASEAN. The people of Myanmar did not stop protesting against the military junta. The plot of releasing prisoner is to rebuild its positive opinion about the coup leaders.
According to the World Bank there has been loss of jobs and income of the people, apart from health and food, apart from compounding the welfare of the poorer section of the people. The World Bank is of the view that Myanmar economy seems to be devastated in 2020.The economy stands at 1.7 percent now from 6.3 percent following pandemic-19 while the country is subject to disasters in South East Asia like floods, cyclone, earthquake and landslides and drought.
It is expected a good sense will prevail on the leaders of Tatmadaw to release all political prisoners to have a compromise solution of political problems under the auspices of the United Nations. It seems to be entangled to represent Myanmar in an international organisation like the UN since both political parties operating in Myanmar. As of now nobody is represented in the UN while some people of the opposition to Tamadaw in Myanmar pleaded to allow present Ambassador to represent Myanmar who is against the army. In fact, internationally the Myanmar has been divided into two factions. It is really interesting to note that the army backed political party United Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) headed by immediate past General U Thein Sein has formed 11 member cabinet following dismissal of NID (National League for Democracy.)
Military rule is nothing new in the region from Myanmar to Thailand to Indonesia military rule has prevailed. As a matter of fact NID has no other option but should make a compromise with USDP to live together in peace and tranquility for the sake of the people of Myanmar. By now it is reported that Buddhist monks association appears developing distance relation with military junta.
(Mohammad Amjad Hossain, retired diplomat from Bangladesh and former President of NOVA Toastmaster International Club of America, writes from Falls Church, Virginia).
