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KT edit: Unite to stop the madness in Myanmar

The clashes are getting deadlier, and so is the will of the people who are braving it defiantly, putting their lives on the line to bring back the elected government.

What will be the future of Myanmar, a country that for a good part of its history has been jostling for democracy without much success? Will the military restore civilian government anytime soon? It’s hard to say, but it is this fear of losing hope of a better future that is driving people into the streets of Myanmar every day and the world should not ignore them. Another 33 protesters were killed on Wednesday.

The clashes are getting deadlier, and so is the will of the people who are braving it defiantly, putting their lives on the line to bring back the elected government. The young and the old, the rich and the poor, the salaried and the self-employed, the jobless and the retirees, the students and all others are on the streets. Come to think of it, such protests can only make a difference to the country but pressure from the world community would also help drive change.

Myanmar has been marred by the competing visions for the country. The military rulership sees the resource-rich country as their personal fiefdom, while people wish for a democratic set-up that affords them a say in how they are governed but there are no torchbearers for them. For the last 40 years, the Burmese as well as the world have pinned their hopes on Aung San Suu Kyi, rallied behind her and eventually bestowed her with the power and responsibility to chart a new way forward for the country. Despite the numerous flaws in Suu Kyi’s leadership, and her constant discrimination against the Rohingya Muslim community, she has been the only leader people trust. She is 75 and could be behind bars for years if the military has its way. The country needs its young to come forward. They need to find a voice that can unite them and force the junta to change course for good.

For now, how this battle plays out should concern the world community. The United Nations on Friday called for the release of Suu Kyi through a resolution, which is a sign of interest the world powers are showing in resolving the situation in Myanmar. But it won’t be enough. Such resolutions mean nothing to the military junta. They have ignored it on the past and likely to do so now too. The world community needs to implement an embargo on the arms export to the military and restrict their access to weapons. China should be engaged and convinced to put pressure on its neighbour. Another failed state at its doorstep certainly doesn’t bode well for it and the region. The West and China must together resolve this crisis.