Nation Profile: Myanmar is an ethnically diverse country located in Southeast Asia. It is surrounded by Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh, India, and China. The official language is Burmese, and the most practiced religion is Buddhism. Myanmar was officially renamed from Burma in 1989; “Myanmar” is the formal word for “Burma” in the Burmese language, which is why they’re often used interchangeably. Following its independence from Britain in 1948, Myanmar had several forms of government until 1962 when a military coup left the Junta in charge. From 2011 until February, Myanmar demonstrated a successful transition to a democracy and a cessation of military rule.
A military coup took over the Myanmar government and declared a year-long state of emergency in February. After the National League for Democracy (NLD) party won last year’s election, the opposition perpetuated claims of election fraud. The military, opposed to the NLD and its leader Aung San Suu Kyi, arrested Suu Kyi and other key party officials and stated that new elections would be held following the state of emergency.
Myanmar citizens protested the military coup, resulting in a forceful response and several hundred civilian deaths. Protesters demonstrated against military rule following the February coup. The military responded to the protests by arresting individuals and, in some cases, killing or severely injuring them. At least 600 Burmese citizens have died as a result of the coup and subsequent protests.
The future of Myanmar remains unclear. Many Southeast Asia-watchers argue that Myanmar is on the cusp of a civil war while citizens desperately try to escape the newly established military rule to reinstate democratic governance. Despite international attempts to pressure the Burmese military, the calamities show no sign of slowing down.