How Myanmar’s Citizens Are Resisting External Influence and the Junta
The people of Myanmar have shown remarkable resilience and innovation in their fight against both the military junta and the influence of external powers like China and Russia, whose support strengthens the regime. This resistance is multi-faceted, involving both organized movements and grassroots efforts.
1. Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)
The Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) emerged immediately after the February 2021 coup and remains one of the most significant forms of nonviolent resistance.
Key Features:
- Nationwide Strikes:
- Thousands of government employees, teachers, healthcare workers, and railway staff refused to work under the junta, crippling state institutions.
- These strikes disrupted public services and the military-controlled economy, demonstrating widespread public opposition.
- Boycotts:
- Citizens organized boycotts of military-owned businesses, such as those under Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC). These businesses operate in industries like banking, telecommunications, oil and gas, and consumer goods.
- People switched to alternative brands or local businesses, reducing the junta’s revenue streams.
- Social Media Campaigns:
- Activists used platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share information, organize protests, and expose ties between the junta and its foreign supporters.
- Memes and viral posts highlighted China’s and Russia’s support for the junta, encouraging boycotts of Chinese products and protests outside Chinese and Russian embassies.
Challenges:
The junta has retaliated by arresting CDM participants, seizing their property, and cutting salaries. Despite this, the CDM remains a powerful symbol of defiance.
2. People’s Defense Forces (PDFs)
The armed resistance against the junta has grown significantly since the coup. Local militias known as People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) have been formed across the country, often in collaboration with ethnic armed organizations (EAOs).
Key Features:
- Urban and Rural Guerrilla Warfare:
- PDFs have carried out ambushes, bombings, and targeted attacks on military installations, supply lines, and infrastructure.
- In urban areas, PDFs conduct clandestine operations targeting junta officials and collaborators.
- Support from Ethnic Armed Groups:
- Longstanding ethnic armed organizations, such as the Karen National Union (KNU), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and Chin National Army (CNA), have provided training, weapons, and strategic support to PDFs.
- Weapon Manufacturing:
- PDFs have started producing makeshift weapons and explosives, enabling them to sustain their operations without relying on external arms supplies.
Public Backing:
The majority of citizens, even in urban areas, support the PDFs by providing shelter, food, and intelligence. This grassroots support undermines the junta’s ability to maintain control.
3. Targeting Foreign Influence
Citizens have actively resisted the influence of China and Russia, viewing their support for the junta as complicity in human rights abuses.
Boycotting Chinese and Russian Goods:
- Anti-China sentiment has grown due to Beijing’s backing of the junta. Protesters have called for boycotts of Chinese products and Chinese-backed infrastructure projects.
- Russia, as a major arms supplier to the junta, has also faced similar public backlash, with activists organizing protests outside Russian embassies and consulates.
Raising International Awareness:
- Myanmar citizens and activists in the diaspora have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the role of China and Russia in enabling the junta. They engage in:
- Protests outside Chinese and Russian embassies worldwide.
- Lobbying Western governments to pressure these countries diplomatically.
- Social media campaigns to expose the arms trade and economic deals with the junta.
4. Economic Resistance
The people of Myanmar have developed creative ways to weaken the military’s economic grip:
Refusal to Pay Taxes:
- Many citizens refuse to pay taxes to the junta-controlled government, depriving it of revenue.
- Small businesses have shifted to cash-only transactions to avoid junta-linked banks.
Support for Shadow Institutions:
- The National Unity Government (NUG), a shadow government formed by ousted lawmakers and activists, has garnered public support. Many citizens prefer to donate money or pay taxes to the NUG rather than the junta.
Cryptocurrency Adoption:
- To bypass the junta-controlled banking system, activists and resistance groups have turned to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Tether to fund their operations and support displaced communities.
Impact of Sanctions on the Junta
While sanctions have not toppled the junta, they have had a significant impact on its finances, international reputation, and ability to maintain control.
1. Targeted Sanctions on Military Leaders and Businesses
- Western nations, including the U.S., UK, EU, and Canada, have imposed sanctions on:
- Senior junta officials, including Min Aung Hlaing.
- Military-owned conglomerates like MEHL and MEC, which dominate industries like jade mining, banking, and telecommunications.
- Companies and individuals linked to arms sales or resource exploitation.
Impact:
- Restricted Revenue Streams:
- Sanctions have limited the junta’s access to foreign investment and foreign currency reserves, making it harder to sustain its operations.
- Increased Dependence on China and Russia:
- The sanctions have forced the junta to rely more heavily on China and Russia for financial and military support, further isolating Myanmar from the global economy.
2. Suspension of International Aid
- Major development partners like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the EU have suspended aid to Myanmar, directly affecting junta-controlled budgets.
- Impact:
- The lack of development funding has exacerbated the economic crisis, with inflation and unemployment pushing more people into poverty.
- The junta struggles to provide basic services, weakening its control over rural and urban populations.
3. Arms Embargoes
- Several countries and organizations have imposed arms embargoes on Myanmar, restricting the junta’s access to advanced weaponry.
- Impact:
- While the junta continues to procure arms from Russia, China, and other allies, the embargoes have limited its ability to modernize its arsenal, giving resistance groups an advantage in prolonged conflicts.
4. Diplomatic Isolation
- Myanmar’s military regime has faced widespread condemnation from the international community, with many countries refusing to recognize its legitimacy.
- ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) excluded Min Aung Hlaing from key summits, signaling a loss of regional support.
Impact:
- The junta’s international isolation undermines its claims to legitimacy and increases domestic resistance, as citizens see its standing deteriorate.
Challenges of Resistance and Sanctions
While resistance efforts and sanctions have inflicted significant damage on the junta, challenges remain:
- Chinese and Russian Support: The junta’s access to arms, economic investments, and political backing from these countries cushions the impact of sanctions.
- Escalation of Violence: The junta responds to resistance with greater violence, leading to humanitarian crises.
- Fragmentation of Resistance: While PDFs and EAOs share common goals, coordination between them is sometimes limited, weakening their overall effectiveness.
Conclusion
Myanmar’s citizens are waging a multifaceted resistance against the military junta and its foreign backers. Civil disobedience, armed struggle, economic boycotts, and international advocacy highlight their determination to reclaim democracy. Sanctions have hampered the junta’s resources and legitimacy but remain insufficient without stronger international unity and enforcement. The fight for a free Myanmar continues, with the people demonstrating extraordinary resilience in the face of repression and external influence.