Conflicts & War

Ousted Myanmar govt proposes talks to end military rule

Bangkok, Jan 31 (EFE).- Myanmar’s ousted government, which claims to be the nation’s legitimate ruler, and several ethical guerrillas, said Wednesday they offered the country’s military junta a negotiation to transition into a civilian state three years after the army took power in a coup.

The self-proclaimed National Unity Government, or NUG, said in a statement with some ethnic guerrillas facing the military and published ahead of the third anniversary of the Feb. 1, 2021 putsch, that it aims to remove military dictatorship and establish a federal democracy.

This plan comes at a time when the military junta is at its weakest, with the army cornered after an offensive launched in October by a group of guerrillas which has awakened a feeling of optimism in democratic forces.

The NUG, made up of politicians overthrown by the coup and activists loyal to deposed State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi, said it would abolish the military-approved 2008 constitution once it comes to power. It said it would redraft a new charter that “embodies federalism and democratic values, garnering the consensus of all relevant parties.”

It said the political and armed opposition against the military would continue applying pressure and that they are open to negotiating with military leaders to peacefully transition power subject to the political objectives established by the NUG and the ethnic groups.

The transitional government said it would aim to achieve peace, stability and the reconstruction of the country, which since the military uprising has seen a deep political, social and economic crisis and which has opened a spiral of violence nationwide.

This transitional authority would be made up of all parties that participated in the revolution against military rule, the statement said, adding that it would later call a national conference to agree on the limits of the different jurisdictions that will make up the country.

And that will conclude with the drafting and approval of a new constitution that leads to democratic elections.

In the letter, the opposition and its allies rejected the military junta’s rule and its plans to call national elections, on a date not yet specified, in addition to committing to collaborate with international actors to find solutions for Myanmar.

The army justified the coup on alleged fraud during the November 2020 general elections, the result of which was annulled. The polls were won by Suu Kyi’s party, as it did in 2015, with the endorsement of international observers.

Suu Kyi, 78, was arrested following the uprising and is currently serving several prison sentences for charges filed after the coup. EFE

nc/lds

Related Articles

Back to top button