The crisis facing democracy in Myanmar is both heartbreaking and profoundly complex. Despite a brief window of hope with the 2015 elections—when the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, triumphed overwhelmingly—the country’s democratic journey has been drastically derailed. The February 2021 military takeover, which ousted the elected government and detained Ms. Suu Kyi—who is internationally recognized for her unwavering nonviolent fight for democracy and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991—has plunged Myanmar into chaos and suffering.
Since the coup, the situation has deteriorated rapidly. According to recent statistics from the United Nations, over 6,000 civilians have lost their lives due to military actions—this includes more than 1,000 women and nearly 700 children. A staggering 62% of these civilian casualties resulted from airstrikes and artillery shelling carried out by the military. Meanwhile, internal displacement has affected more than 3.5 million people, with hundreds of thousands seeking refuge in neighboring countries—highlighting the depth of the humanitarian crisis.
Myanmar’s resistance against the military regime is persistent and multi-faceted. Various armed groups, including the People’s Defense Forces and ethnic insurgent organizations, continue to challenge the military’s authority. An exile-based government—known as the National Unity Government—that was democratically elected but displaced by the coup provides leadership, funding, and strategic support to these resistance units. Their ongoing efforts exemplify resilience in the face of oppression, though their fight is fraught with danger.
Internationally, the military junta has been heavily armed and supplied with weapons from abroad. Since 2021, the United Nations reports that over $1 billion worth of military equipment—including weapons, raw materials for manufacturing, and dual-use goods that could serve civilian or military purposes—have been imported into Myanmar. Russia and China are the main suppliers. Russia’s state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, alone supplied over $400 million worth of weaponry—such as attack helicopters, fighter jets, missiles, drones, and radar systems—and was involved in joint naval exercises with Myanmar’s military. China has resumed normal diplomatic relations with the junta and has supplied aircraft like the Y-8 transport planes, openly maintaining political and military ties. These actions, in cooperation with Russia, undermine global efforts to isolate and pressure the military regime.
What’s especially disheartening is the limited influence of regional organizations, particularly ASEAN, in addressing Myanmar’s crisis. Despite their efforts, ASEAN’s “Five-Point Consensus”—a set of measures aiming to halt violence, promote dialogue, and oversee a transition back to democracy—has largely been ignored by the military leadership. This blatant disregard effectively grants legitimacy to a regime responsible for severe human rights abuses. While some ASEAN nations, such as Malaysia—now chairing the organization in 2025—are demanding more concrete actions like ceasefires and negotiations with resistance groups, progress remains slow.
Recently, the Myanmar military announced plans to hold phased elections beginning in December and continuing into January. However, many observers suspect these elections will be merely façades—intended to legitimize the military regime rather than genuinely reflect the will of the people. The concern is that these votes will be orchestrated to reinforce the military’s grip on power under false pretenses.
And here’s the part most people miss—there’s a crucial need for international oversight. The United Nations, ASEAN, and the United States should insist on sending independent election monitors to Myanmar. Only with credible verification can the world ascertain whether these elections are truly fair and inclusive, or just another sham in a series of manipulations.
The question remains: Will the global community continue to turn a blind eye or stand firm in demanding accountability and the restoration of genuine democracy in Myanmar? How the world responds now could determine whether Myanmar’s future will be a continuation of oppression or a revival of hope. Your voice matters—what do you think? Should international organizations do more to influence Myanmar’s path toward democracy?