Three years after Myanmar military coup, pro-democracy forces ``overthrow the military by force''

One day marks three years since the military staged a coup in Myanmar.

The military has decided to extend the state of emergency, and there is no prospect of an election for a transition to civilian government, but the foreign minister of an organization established by pro-democracy forces responded to an interview with NHK and said that they are aiming to overthrow the military by force. I showed it.

In Myanmar, the military staged a coup d'état three years ago on February 1st and continues to hold real power.

On the 31st, the military decided to extend the state of emergency that continued after the coup until August due to the deteriorating security situation, and there is no prospect that an election for a transition to civilian rule will be held.

Under these circumstances, Mr. Zin Ma Aung, the Foreign Minister of the NUG (National Unity Government), which was established by pro-democracy forces in opposition to the military, responded to an interview with NHK.

Regarding the fighting between pro-democracy forces and the military, Zin Ma Aung said that the cooperation with ethnic minority groups that began in October last year was producing results, and said, ``Until now, we have not only taken up arms, but also We have also tried peaceful dialogue with the military government, but to no avail. As a result of our non-violent policy, we were imprisoned and many lives were lost. We must learn lessons to avoid the same outcome this time. '', indicating his intention to overthrow the military through force.

He also noted that many people in Myanmar are facing a humanitarian crisis due to military oppression and fighting, and said, ``If Japan can help alleviate the crisis, it will be a broader aid.'' We asked the government for humanitarian assistance.

About Mr. Zin Ma Aung

Zin Ma Aung, the Foreign Minister of the NUG (National Unity Government), served 11 years in prison as a political prisoner for participating in the student movement and criticizing the government during the previous military regime.

He began his political career after being released from prison in 2009, and won in the 2015 general election as a candidate for the NLD (National League for Democracy), the political party led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

After the coup, he was appointed as the foreign minister of the NUG, which advocates the overthrow of the military by force, and currently travels to the United States and other countries to appeal to government officials for support, as well as calling for financial support from overseas Myanmar communities. Continuing.

In an interview with NHK in January, Zin Ma Aung looked back on the three years since the coup and said, ``We have made many sacrifices in the fight against the military.We cannot let those sacrifices go to waste. "My family has been through a difficult situation where they may never see each other again," he said, his voice breaking at times.

Regarding the fact that democratic forces in various regions have been coordinating and intensifying their offensive against the military since ethnic minorities launched simultaneous attacks in eastern Shan State in October last year, he said, ``We are working with the ethnic minorities. "We were able to build an unprecedented level of trust. I am satisfied with the collaboration and can call it an achievement," he said, emphasizing the results.

On the other hand, regarding the shift from the policy of non-violence advocated by Aung San Suu Kyi, ``We have not only taken up arms but also tried to have peaceful dialogue with the military government. There was no result. As a result of our non-violent policy, we were imprisoned and many lives were lost. We must learn lessons to avoid the same outcome this time," he said, expressing the idea of ​​using force to overthrow the military. I showed it.

Regarding the Japanese government, he said, ``Japan is a leader in Asia, so it should be able to demonstrate its leadership and communicate the situation in Myanmar more proactively.'' He expressed his hopes for further involvement and expressed his hope that the military would Noting that many people in Myanmar are facing a humanitarian crisis due to crackdowns and fighting, he said, ``If Japan can help alleviate these crises, it will be a broader aid.'' I asked for it.

Military commander claims ``resistance forces are making unreasonable demands''

Ahead of the third anniversary of the coup, military chief General Min Aung Hlaing said at a conference held in the capital Naypyidaw on the 26th of last month, ``Myanmar is still on the path to democracy and its unity is weak. The goal is to strengthen a disciplined democratic system and a federal system based on democracy, but the current problem is that resistance forces are making unreasonable demands."

The military says it will lift the state of emergency and hold elections for a transition to civilian rule, but it will be extended further due to the worsening security situation due to fighting with pro-democracy forces and ethnic minority armed groups. The outlook for the election is uncertain.

Expert: “The strength of the military is declining more than the cooperation between the resistance side is deepening.”

Yoshihiro Nakanishi, an associate professor at Kyoto University's Center for Southeast Asian Studies, who is familiar with the situation in Myanmar, said of the situation the Myanmar military is in: ``The reason the military is losing areas under its control is more than just the deepening cooperative relationship between the resistance. This is because the power of the military has declined in recent years. However, I doubt that voices will come out soon in the military center to hold General Min Aung Hlaing accountable. "There is no chance that it will happen," he said.

Regarding the prospect of holding elections for the transition to civilian rule, as advocated by the military, he said, ``Currently, there is almost no possibility that the scenario of conducting a census and holding elections will come true. I don't think there will be a recovery.The long-term future is uncertain,'' he said, pointing out that the turmoil is expected to continue for a long time.

Regarding the role that Japan should play in the future, he said, ``I would like Japan to take a leadership role in encouraging the military and providing humanitarian aid in Myanmar to end the conflict. I want them to put in the effort, people and money."