One year after Myanmar's military toppled the country's elected government over unproven voting fraud claims, the nation of 54 million people is wracked by conflict and facing economic collapse.
Updated Timeline: Tracing Military’s Interference in Myanmar Election
Myanmar army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attends a commemoration of 73rd Anniversary of Tatmadaw (Navy) Day at Thilawa Port in Yangon on Dec. 24, 2020. / Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy
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By San Yamin Aung 20 January 2021
YANGON— Even before Myanmar’s voters went to the polls in November’s general election, the country’s powerful military began flexing its political muscles, criticizing the government for the electoral body’s handling of preparations for the polls and raising doubts over whether the election was free and fair.
Its threats and warnings in the run-up to the election even prompted concerns over the possible threat of a coup. At that time, many were relieved after the military chief’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing vowed to respect the people’s will on election day.
‘A New Normal’: Key Figures in Myanmar Reflect on 2020
'A New Normal’: Key Figures in Myanmar Reflect on 2020
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By The Irrawaddy 31 December 2020
The year coming to an end is a globally unsettling one. It would be interesting how people view the hardships they faced during this unusual year of 2020 and what silver linings they saw as well as what the incoming year means to them.The Irrawaddy’s Kyaw Phyo Tha and Nyein Neyin bring you thoughts and experiences from some prominent figures in different faiths, environment, art, humanitarian, business and others in Myanmar.
(Photo: Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy)
Myanmar’s Economic Year in Review
Myanmar's business hub, Yangon. / Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy
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By Nan Lwin 25 December 2020
YANGON—The Myanmar government began 2020 with high expectations that it would be the year the economic liberalization and reforms it introduced during the previous four years would begin to bear fruit. However, the COVID-19 pandemic upended its plans, slowing Myanmar’s economic growth to 1.7 percent in fiscal 2019-20 from 6.8 percent in 2018-19, not only hammering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the tourism and garment/textile sectors, but also delaying important economic events and activities needed to spur foreign direct investment (FDI).
Movers and Shakers of 2020: The Irrawaddy’s Persons of the Year
Movers and Shakers of 2020: The Irrawaddy’s Persons of the Year
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By The Irrawaddy 22 December 2020
It has been a uniquely challenging year, even by the standards of Myanmar’s recent history. The global COVID-19 pandemic has not spared the country, and while the toll has been severe—Myanmar ranks third in ASEAN for cases and deaths—the most dire predictions have not come to pass, thanks to the heroic efforts of the nation’s doctors, nurses and volunteer health workers, who have worked tirelessly and at great personal risk to ensure that every patient receives free hospital treatment and that the country’s quarantine centers continue to function. The nation’s stretched medical resources have been calmly and capably deployed by Health Minister Dr. Myint Htwe and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and crucially supplemented by the donations of Myanmar citizens, rich and poor. The nation’s economic ministries rose to the complex challenges posed by the pandemic, moving quickly to secure external assistance while drawing up plans to cushion the blow as much as possible at home.
Myanmar’s Purchase of Planes From Jordan a Sign of Things to Come
10 December 2020
An Airbus CASA C295 / Flickr
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By The Irrawaddy 18 December 2020
News reports have emerged that Myanmar’s air force is buying two Airbus CASA C295 aircraft worth US$38.6 million (52.29 billion kyats) from the Royal Jordanian Air Force. While Airbus, based in the EU, would be prevented from entering such a deal directly by the bloc’s arms embargo against Myanmar, the Middle Eastern kingdom has no such sanctions preventing the sale.
Several countries in Europe and North America, including Canada, the Czech Republic and Finland, have purchased these planes. Among Asian countries, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia use them for tactical and logistical transport. Their short takeoff and landing capabilities make them well suited to Myanmar’s landscape.