It was no small feat at the Panglong Conference in February 1947 when Bogyoke Aung San united the country's ethnic minorities behind his vision of a federal Burma. In one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world he convinced them to subscribe to the concept of one Myanmar family, comprised of several constituent elements.
Even though Aung San was only 32 at the time, he showed a capacity for leadership beyond his years.
Aung San formulated a far-reaching vision on the fabric of his country and his compatriots chose to follow him on the path to an independent and peaceful Myanmar. Sadly, the Bogyoke was assassinated six months before the country gained the independence for which he fought so hard. Aung San had the ability to bring people together and unite them and after his death there was no one to uphold the Panglong Agreement. Myanmar descended into civil war.
aung san’s insights are relevant to this day. Every ethnic leader and aspiring politician in post-conflict Myanmar should re-read his speeches and comments on federalism, a concept with many faces that few in Myanmar fully grasp. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
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