Myanmar and its new President

The election of U Htin Kyaw as Myanmar’s President would make its most democratic administration since military seized power in 1962. During this period, the generals ran a draconian rule that denied the people even basic demo (cratic rights and isolated the country internationally. The nation became an independent republic on 4 January 1948. Unlike most other former British colonies and overseas territories, Burma did not become a member of the Commonwealth. A bicameral parliament was formed and multi-party elections were held in 1951–1952, 1956 and 1960.

On 2nd March 1962, the military led by General Ne Win took control of Burma. Since then Myanmar has been under the general’s austerity which denied people even basic democratic rights. It is a mixed moment of joy and sorrow for the Myanmarese, because finally a legitimate democratic government is in place but there is immense disappointment as Aung San Suu Kyi, could not become the President. According to a provision in the military-era Constitution she cannot assume the highest position as her children are foreign citizens. While there is another equally important trouble the government would face: the ethnic nationalist groups struggling for autonomy. Ethnic nationalities are the dominant populations in at least half of the territory now referred to as Burma, and make up over thirty percent of the country’s total population. The ethnic nationalities have sought political arrangements reflecting their independent identities. (Courtesy of New Delhi Times)