Coup and violent aftermath sully Myanmar’s global reputation: ethnic armed group leader

By DMG 27 May 2021

DMG Newsroom
27 May 2021, Sittwe

Myanmar’s reputation globally has diminished as a result of the February 1 coup and subsequent actions taken by the military government, the head of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) said on May 27.

Interim PPST leader General Yawd Serk made the remarks at a PPST coordination meeting held from May 27-28 via video conferencing.

“The Myanmar military’s response to the current political crisis — by using violence — is an act that could ignite civil war,” General Yawd Serk said.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) says that in the 115 days between February 1 and May 26, 828 civilians were killed and 5,441 were arrested by junta forces.

A statement issued by the PPST said the military was ignoring calls for an immediate end to all acts of violence; demands that have been made by both international and local organisations.

The failure of the military to cooperate in ASEAN’s efforts to implement the five-point agreement reached at the ASEAN Leaders’ Special Summit on Myanmar in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 24 was an obstacle to a peaceful resolution to the political crisis, the PPST said.

The PPST said that in post-coup Myanmar, economic administration, the education system, security and the rule of law were deteriorating.

General Yawd Serk called on the people to work together to end the dictatorship and build a federal, democratic union.

The PPST is made up of 10 ethnic armed groups that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).