Last week, Myanmar’s ruling military junta lifted the state of emergency that had been in place since it took power in a coup in February 2021. It also announced that an interim government had taken over, until elections take place this coming December and January.
On the face of it, this might have seemed like a good step forward, given that more than three million people have been displaced, several thousand civilians have been killed, and tens of thousands arrested during the violence and conflict over the past four years. But the news has mostly been greeted with scepticism.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing remains in charge as acting President and chief of the armed forces. The National League for Democracy of Aung San Suu Kyi, which has won every free election it participated in (and was the government overthrown in 2021), has been deregistered, while Ms Suu Kyi is detained in solitary confinement.
The government in exile – called the National Unity Government – has denounced the forthcoming polls as a fraud. “Elections are fundamental to democracy, but the one organised by the junta is entirely illegitimate,” said U Kyaw Ni, the NUG Deputy Minister of Labour Affairs, earlier this year. “The Military Council, which seized power by disregarding the people’s will, cannot hold a fair election, nor can it resolve the ongoing political crisis.”
The most forthright external supporters of human rights and democratisation in Myanmar have, historically, always insisted that the military – which originally ended the country’s initial experiment with democracy in 1962 – could never be part of a solution. Even accepting the change of name from Burma to Myanmar was considered by diehard supporters of Ms Suu Kyi in the West to be giving in to a public relations exercise by the Tatmadaw, as the armed forces are known. What use, then, could be any election organised by them?
Except Myanmar’s second period of democracy from 2010 to 2021 was initiated by the Tatmadaw. And the overarching issue is: how can any lasting solution to the country’s numerous problems exclude them?
Myanmar is almost completely devoid of institutions that can bind it as one. Many historians consider Britain’s abolition of the country’s monarchy in 1885, after the Third Anglo-Burmese War, to have been a disaster. It removed the figure who stood at the apex of civilian, military and religious life and who could – after independence in 1948 – have played a crucial role in unifying the country’s numerous and varied ethnicities. Many of those ethnic groups in Myanmar’s frontier states had been converted to Christianity under the British, and they were also allowed to serve in the police and armed forces, while the majority ethnic Bamar, who are Buddhist, were discouraged from doing so. To say that there were forces pulling the country apart as the British were about to leave would be a major understatement.
The country’s revered, charismatic father of independence, Ms Suu Kyi’s father, Gen Aung San, might just have been able to keep the country together. But he was assassinated in 1947, and there has been a state of civil conflict – of various levels of intensity – ever since. Meanwhile, whatever atrocities and repression they have been associated with, the Tatmadaw have also always been the country’s one dominant, omnipresent institution. People who truly want the best for Myanmar have to concede that any dialogues about its future must include them.
This is something that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim appears to realise. As this year’s chair of the Association of South-East Asian Nations, Mr Anwar had already initiated significant moves to lower tensions in Myanmar. After his recent triumph in persuading the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand to agree to a ceasefire on their border, he has fresh impetus.
In April, he met Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok for “frank and constructive” discussions, and a day later held talks with the NUG, the government in exile. At the end of May, he invited different groups to come to Kuala Lumpur to begin a dialogue process, and this week he said: “We have initiated talks”, and that his meetings with the military and opposition leaders had reached “some agreements”.
Last month, the Trump administration quietly lifted sanctions on five individuals and companies linked to the junta
“First, a ceasefire; second, to enable humanitarian aid access; and third, to continue dialogue aimed at stopping attacks,” he told Malaysia’s Parliament. “So far, the situation is better compared to previous developments.”
There may be no easy formula, but it may be worth reflecting on the period when Thein Sein, a former general, led the transition to full democracy between 2011 and 2016. As the Irrawaddy news site – no ally of the military – put it last year: “After decades of pariah status for Myanmar, Thein Sein’s administration won a degree of international legitimacy and support after launching political and economic reforms and allowing democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to contest the 2015 election. International media compared him to Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union.”
Thein Sein is retired, but he was invited to an important official event in China last year where he was greeted by President Xi Jinping. He may be able to play a useful role, but equally crucial is the fact that his example shows the Tatmadaw is not monolithic, and there may be other reformers and moderates in its ranks who can help negotiate a way forward.
Add to the mix recent reports that indicate the administration of US President Donald Trump has an interest in Myanmar. Last month, it quietly lifted sanctions on five individuals and companies linked to the junta. There is speculation the US is interested in sourcing rare earth minerals from the country’s far north; although as the mines are in a region close to China and controlled by an opposition group, any potential deals would be complicated.
Put this altogether, though, and you have a strong Asean chair determined to lead and make a difference, and who has already proved to be an effective interlocutor between Myanmar’s warring parties. You have a junta that is at least trying to give the appearance of change. And there is the possibility that just as the US and China supported Mr Anwar’s efforts to bring about a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, the two countries may have their own reasons to support a course towards peace and stability in Myanmar.
There haven’t been many causes for optimism for friends of that sorely troubled country in recent years. This could just be one of them. Let’s not dismiss any element of this out of hand.
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Keane on …
Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”
Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
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Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Fixtures
Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
The Scale for Clinical Actionability of Molecular Targets
How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
On sale: now
Race card
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m
7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m
8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m
9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m
9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m
FINAL SCORES
Fujairah 130 for 8 in 20 overs
(Sandy Sandeep 29, Hamdan Tahir 26 no, Umair Ali 2-15)
Sharjah 131 for 8 in 19.3 overs
(Kashif Daud 51, Umair Ali 20, Rohan Mustafa 2-17, Sabir Rao 2-26)
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
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UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
OPENING FIXTURES
Saturday September 12
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Fulham v Arsenal
Liverpool v Leeds United
Tottenham v Everton
West Brom v Leicester
West Ham v Newcastle
Monday September 14
Brighton v Chelsea
Sheffield United v Wolves
To be rescheduled
Burnley v Manchester United
Manchester City v Aston Villa
