Name? Min Aung Hliang
Westphalian identity? Burmese
Age? 64
Why is he in the news? General Hliang’s ruling junta government declared martial law in two districts in Myanmar after killing at least 51 people this past weekend. Additionally, deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s court hearing has been further postponed due to ‘internet issues;’ interesting reason considering Hliang imposed a mobile internet shutdown in the country…
Why do we care? This is another step in the escalation of the power struggle in Myanmar. As you may have realised, we are quite invested in the situation and will continue to update you each Monday until it is resolved, if it ever will be…
Why should you care? More than 110 people have been killed by the military and the police since the Feb. 1st coup. But such violence isn’t new to the Tatmadaw as it used similar tactics and some of the same military units in its 2017 campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Muslim Rohingya. Put simply, Hliang’s strategy seems to be using any and all methods to wear down the populace until they no longer have hope–but he has not succeeded. As protestors march on, you should care 9/10 that they can do so without getting shot.
Who else cares? Xi Jinping. Hliang’s declaration of martial law only came after two Chinese-owned factories caught fire and the Chinese embassy in Myanmar released a statement saying: “China urges Myanmar to take further effective measures to stop all acts of violence…” Not only does such a statement confirm China’s support of Hliang’s government, but also its methods.
Any further comments? One opponent for the Tatmadaw that has not yet been discussed is the armed ethnic minority groups that largely control the north of Myanmar. These groups have been fighting against the Tatmadaw for decades and may use the recent coup as reason to put their efforts together; something to watch out for as the unrest continues.
