Myanmar resistance govt declares ‘defensive war’ against junta
Bangkok, Sep 7 (EFE).- Myanmar’s self-styled National Unity Government, made up of politicians and activists in favor of democracy, urged a people’s rebellion and called on a “defensive war” Tuesday against the military junta.
“Today we begin a defensive war of the people against the military junta. During this popular revolution, all the citizens of Myanmar must revolt throughout the country against the military junta, led by (Gen.) Min Aung Hlaing,” Duwa Lashi La, the group’s interim president said in a social media video.
On Feb. 1, the Myanmar Army ended a decade of incipient democracy in Myanmar by seizing power from the democratic government during a coup, which has been met with strong rejection.
“Eight months of cruel killings, torture and arrests by the military have passed. Everyone knows the constant inhuman acts of war perpetrated by soldiers when they occupy houses, religious buildings, hospitals and schools,” Duwa Lashi La said in the seven-minute video.
At least 1,046 people have lost their lives as a result of the violent repression from authorities, who have shot to kill those attending peaceful demonstrations, while more than 6,000 opponents are being detained, according to the Association for Assistance of Political Prisoners.
The rebel government, which remains loyal to the deposed democratic movement and its ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, created its own militia in May to combat the Tatmadaw – as the Myanmar Army is known.
The interim president of the pro-democracy camp asked soldiers and policemen to desert from the official ranks and “immediately” join the revolutionary camp “to attack the enemy of the people.”
He also called for the support of the dozens of ethnic guerrillas, who for decades have been fighting the Tatmadaw in search of greater self-determination for their regions, and urged them to open new combat fronts.
“Attack and destroy the military dictatorship together with popular power,” he said, adding that he was committed – if they are successful – to establishing a federal democracy that protects all citizens equally.
Duwa Lashi La also called on the international community to understand his positioning and actions against the junta are “based on a situation of need.”
The Myanmar Army justifies the coup on alleged electoral fraud in November’s elections, in which Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory, as it did in 2015, and which were considered free and fair by international observers.
The overthrown leader and main elected leaders have remained under military detention since the coup, and their whereabouts are unknown while they face several trials for different alleged crimes. EFE
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