Myanmar junta extends state of emergency, delaying promised elections
GuardianDec 23, 2022
The Facts
In a rare speech given during the annual Armed Forces Day parade, Myanmar's junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Monday pledged to crush armed resistance fighting against the military rule.
The army chief also accused resistance groups of committing "terror acts," and underlined his dedication to quelling dissent. Myanmar has descended into civil war since the military took over in 2021.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Regional stakeholders such as ASEAN and China have sought to smooth things over to ensure peace and stability in Myanmar, but Western support for armed resistance and political extremist action have bolstered pro-NUG militants to descend the country into civil war. Myanmar is in chaos, and the NUG's calls for revolution will only make it worse.
Pro-establishment narrative
The UN and ASEAN have tried and failed to change the military junta's bloodthirsty behavior that has caused thousands of deaths and atrocious crimes against humanity since its disastrous coup in February 2021. Since there will be no sustainable peace while this illegitimate, corrupt regime remains in power, it is time for the US and its allies to unequivocally support the popular resistance movement.
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