Myanmar Conflict: Ongoing ethnic insurgencies and implications on local and regional security

Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate as well as the state counselor of Myanmar paid a visit to Rakhine in early November despite the continuing exodus of Rohingya people fleeing from ethnic conflict in the state. Aung San Suu Kyi’s visit came amidst mounting criticism of her administration for discriminating the Rohingya people as well as the military’s brutal handling of one of the many insurgencies in the country. As a Buddhist-majority country, Myanmar does not only face troubles with the Rohingya people but many other ethnic groups. The full story can be accessed on our website. Below is the background of the ongoing ethnic insurgencies in Myanmar.

Dubbed the world’s longest-running civil war, the ongoing insurgencies in Myanmar that involve various ethnic groups have often been regarded as one of the key challenges facing the current civilian government led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi. Upon the end of decades of political instability brought upon by the military junta, critics were hopeful that a civilian-led government in Naypyidaw would finally be able to consolidate peaceful resolutions to the ongoing insurgencies.

Despite optimistic assessments, the situation in the conflict zones remains largely unchanged with some criticising Aung San Suu Kyi for being complacent and committing“ethnic cleansing,” particularly against the Muslim Rohingya people.

With no end in sight, the current conflict will continue to shape Myanmar’s security outlook as it seeks stronger economic growth in the near future.

The insurgencies loosely referred to as the Internal Conflict in Myanmar has been plaguing the country ever since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1948. The conflict is extremely multifaceted though they are fundamentally related to the troubled relationship between the Burman majority and other ethnic minorities. In general, the insurgencies can be divided into five main fronts namely the Kachin Conflict, Northern Rakhine State Clashes, Shan State Conflict, Karen Conflict as well as the Kayeh Conflict.

Download our analytical paper to read the full analysis about the ongoing insurgencies in Myanmar.