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Federal democracy, not military rule, is Myanmar’s future
In our diverse country, this nationwide uprising has created unprecedented cooperation among people of all ethnicities, religions, political persuasions and economic backgrounds.
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Reach for the moon: Buddhist devotees visit Shwedagon pagoda to mark the full moon of the Thadingyut festival in Yangon, Myanmar on Oct. 9, 2022. Some of the attendees offered prayers for their country that has plunged into turmoil following last year's coup. (AFP)
O
n Feb. 1, 2021, Myanmar military’s coup attempted to overturn an elected government, end a decade of democratic reform and reimpose military dictatorship.
Our country has already suffered multiple coups and periods of military rule. This time the people said, “No”. The military junta has neither been accepted domestically nor recognized internationally. With breathtaking determination and extraordinary sacrifice, the people of Myanmar have prevented the self-styled State Administration Council, headed by Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, from consolidating control in the 21 months since the coup.
Instead, the people have embraced the alternative: Myanmar’s future as a federal democracy, with a civilian government and civilian-led military. Immediately after the coup attempt, representatives of the legitimately elected parliament, including the winning National League for Democracy (NLD) and other political parties, ethnic-resistance organizations, civil society, striking civil servants and protest organizations came together.
They formed the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), mandated to codify the aims of our struggle, create interim-governance arrangements and lay the groundwork for a new constitutional order.
The result is the Federal Democracy Charter (FDC), which enshrines our collective vision. Part I lays out agreements among coalition partners and a roadmap to achieve that vision, including the future constitutional assembly, Federal Democratic Constitution and democratic elections under that constitution.
Part II of the Charter sets out interim governance institutions. The National Unity Government (NUG), which I have the honor to serve, derives its mandate from this charter. This vision of a federal democracy reflects our people’s aspirations: pluralism, self-determination, equality, human rights and strong local governance.
The current conflict in Myanmar is not a struggle between “two sides”. It is the struggle of an entire nation against military rule and its atrocities. In our diverse country, this nationwide uprising has created unprecedented cooperation among people of all ethnicities, religions, political persuasions and economic backgrounds.
