Description:
"Myanmar faces a number of significant stabilisation challenges including frequent natural disasters,
environmental challenges and organised crime, in addition to the challenges associated with a nascent
democratisation process. This report, however, focuses exclusively on violent conflict and displacement.
Myanmar has been afflicted by armed conflict since independence. During the 1960s-1980s, a number of
armed groups were able to establish ‘effectively independent micro-states’ (EC, 2016, p. 3). These had
their own ‘rudimentary’ governments, service provision, and foreign policies (EC, 2016, p. 3). This
situation persists in some parts of Myanmar (EC, 2016, p. 3). The communities currently most at risk of,
and affected by, conflict and violence are those living in the Kokang Self-Administered Zone and in other
parts of northern Shan State. Other affected communities include those living in Kachin, Rakhine, Chin
and Kayin States. The community most affected by the threat of forced displacement is the Rohingya, a
Muslim ethnic group, in Rakhine State. The nature of conflict in these areas ranges from occasional to
frequent clashes between armed groups and government forces. In addition to armed conflict, Rakhine
State suffers from tensions between the Muslim and Buddhist communities.
There were more than 700,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Myanmar in 2016 (McConnachie,
2016, p. 4). Moreover, more than 128,000 refugees from Myanmar were living in Thailand in 2014
(UNICEF, 2014, p. 3). According to UNICEF, displacement can constitute a driver of conflict, depending on
whether it is forced or not, and on the extent to which host communities are prepared for IDPs. Women
and children are reportedly disproportionately affected by migration and displacement, and make up the
majority of those who are IDPs and refugees (ibid).
The literature identifies a number of sources of resilience in Myanmar, which include:
Institutionalisation of peace-making: Both the previous and current governments declared their
commitment to ending conflict in Myanmar. A number of peace initiatives and inter-faith
dialogues have taken place in order to mitigate tensions and conflict in the country.
Economy: Myanmar’s economy has considerable potential. A number of economic reforms have
been undertaken and economic growth is strong, although it has been slowing recently.
Strengthened civil society: The previous government’s decision to allow issue-driven CSOs to
operate in Myanmar has led to a proliferation of such organisations.
Education: The previous government undertook steps to reform the education system in
Myanmar in a bid to end discrimination against ethnic minorities.
Release of political prisoners: A significant number of political prisoners have been released
since the new National League for Democracy (NLD) led government came to power.
Increased press freedom: Extensive media reform has resulted in a proliferation of ‘alternative’
information and has rendered the government subject to increased scrutiny.
The literature identifies a number of policy options for mitigating tensions in Myanmar. International
actors could potentially provide support and assistance in a number of areas. These include technical
support for the conclusion, implementation and monitoring of ceasefire agreements, and support for an
inclusive national political dialogue. They also include various forms of assistance for recovery and
development, as well as support for educational reform.
There is a sizeable body of literature on Myanmar’s stabilisation challenges. This consists of a mixture of
peer-reviewed journal articles, policy briefs, and reports by NGOs and international organisations. While
gender is not addressed in all of the papers reviewed for the purposes of this report, a number of papers
do look at gender, specifically in the context of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and in the
context of peace-making and peacebuilding..."
Source/publisher:
Governance and Social Development Resource Centre
Date of Publication:
2017-05-02
Date of entry:
2021-04-21
Grouping:
- Individual Documents
Category:
Countries:
Myanmar
Language:
English
Local URL:
Format:
pdf
Size:
334.77 KB
Resource Type:
text
Text quality:
- Good