5th April, 2021 #day64

 

CNN's coverage about the situation in Myanmar is going viral today. Clarissa Ward, CNN's Chief International Correspondent, arrived in Myanmar on March 30 with the permission of the junta and, interviewed the coup leaders and met with some civilians on the streets. Questions were raised about the ethical stance of the CNN and there have been suspicions among the protesters that CNN will only cover what the junta has shown, but the public has responded positively to its 9-minute report tonight. CNN reported that what is happening on the ground is very different from what the junta says. The report described that people hate the military; they do not believe that elections will be held within two years; they are terrified by the regime's violence. In an interview with the junta’s spokesperson yesterday, she asked how General Aung San (the father of Aung San Suu Kyi and founder of the Burmese military) would react to the current situation if he was still alive? the spokesperson replied he believe that he would say “how stupid my daughter” (translated by the interpreter during the interview). Netizens are mocking the response saying it actually reflects the military leaders' perpetual stance on Aung San Suu Kyi. Military leaders show respect for her father but have always portrayed her as unfaithful and destructive to the nation by marrying a foreigner.

People are trying to intensify the protests and calling to begin Paudauk strike during Burmese New Year. Pauduak is one of the national flowers of the country which usually blooms in April. In addition, people are calling on social media not to celebrate the iconic Thingyan festival also known as water throwing festival which falls on April 13 until April 16 this year. The festival is held for about four to five days and is one of the most popular holiday seasons in the country. At present situation, however, anti-dictatorship movement is likely to escalate during these periods.

Yesterday, 122 university student unions across the country released a joint statement urging the CRPH to commit building Myanmar’s future education system compatible with federal democracy and allow independent and self-governing universities. The CRPH welcomed the announcement today and said the statement aligned with its charter and it would work with student unions. RFA reported that at least four civilians were killed today by the junta across the country. Mandalay Indepth News reported that the junta’s troops arrested a man with pro-NLD and Spring revolution tattoos and destroyed his tattoos by burning to the skin. The junta again issued arrest warrants for about 20 artists and politicians. The junta has issued a notice to seven media companies not to broadcast any films and songs featuring artists on the wanted list. Ko Jarlay, the NLD's information officer of Thayawady, Bago Region, told to Myanmar Now that the military council have arrested six members of his family, including his 4-year-old daughter and 2-year-old niece, because they could not arrest him. According to the AAPP, at least 570 people have been killed and 2,728 arrested.

Fighting between the RCSS/SSA and the TNLA has intensified in Hsipaw and Namtu Townships in northern Shan State. The two groups have been in frequent contact over territorial disputes for the past few years. The TNLA blamed the clashes on the RCSS claiming that it is based in southern Shan State but gradually expanded its territory to north after the signing of the NCA, and the RCSS responded that they are free to move around in the Shan State as they are representing the whole state. However, there are fears that the clashes could jeopardize the formation of a federal army that protesters in the cities are hoping for. Although the RCSS has been sharply critical of the military since the coup, unlike the KNU and KIA, it has so far not fought with the military.

Malaysia and ASEAN Chairman Brunei Darussalam announced today that the leaders of ASEAN countries have agreed to discuss about Myanmar, according to the RFA. Last month, Thai and Indonesian Foreign Ministers met with the junta appointed envoy in Thailand. Singapore also visited Brunei before to discuss regional issues including situation in Myanmar. ASEAN countries have been criticized for being too slow in responding to the crisis in Myanmar. In addition, there has been instance where ASEAN has not been able to exert effective pressure on the Myanmar government during the Rohingya crisis in 2017. ASEAN's non-interference policy is considered to be an obstacle not only to resolving regional issues but also to pushing for an end to such crisis. As a result, many of Myanmar people have lesser expectation of receiving support from ASEAN members than that from the West. On the other hand, the international community, including the United Nations, is pushing for ASEAN involvement in Myanmar crisis, according to their statements.