Myanmar coup and the betrayal of Aung San Suu Kyi
Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Timess
The internal and external convulsions from the military coup in Myanmar remains uncertain. However, what is certain, is that the State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi was betrayed by many Western democratic nations. Therefore, rather than the majority of democratic nations building ties with Aung San Suu Kyi to a higher degree, they failed the people of this nation based on misguided humanitarianism.
Aung San Suu Kyi understood the legacy of authoritarian rule, the continuation of military involvement in the political system, countless long-lasting ethnic conflicts, outside meddling, and a nation blighted by underdevelopment. However, despite countless obstacles, she remained steadfast to the democratic path and was waiting for the right time to enhance democracy in Myanmar.
It appeared that the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, had an opportune moment to further democracy in Myanmar after winning approximately 80 percent of contested seats. Yet, the general election result – and the NLD remaining steadfast that the election was fair – paradoxically led to the armed forces countering via a coup against the ruling party.
Modern Tokyo Times warned in December 2019 that the international community was hindering the democratic path in Myanmar. It was stated, “Myanmar is seeking to stabilize the democratic path despite countless ethnic issues that beset this nation based on the result of decades of authoritarian rule. At the same time, endless negative media campaigns in Western and Islamic nations are hindering the political leaders of this nation that seek foreign capital. Indeed, if Myanmar is handed to China on a plate or democracy is supplanted, then look no further than the deeds of hypocritical Western and Islamic nations.”
The government of Japan took a more even-handed approach towards Aung San Suu Kyi because the political elites understood the precarious nature of the situation. However, for Aung San Suu Kyi, she was battling the tides of recent negative history and enormous media distortions that played into the hands of authoritarians.
Reuters reports, “The U.N. Security Council was due to meet later on Tuesday, diplomats said, amid calls for a strong global response to the military’s latest seizure of power in a country blighted for decades by army rule.”
It remains to be seen how the next few days and weeks will unfold even if the omens look negative. However, one thing is certain, the international community had a golden opportunity to help Myanmar on its democratic path but this was forsaken.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-idUSKBN2A139S
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