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Jan 23, 2024

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Here is your Mekong Memo Myanmar for January 23, 2024. As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Headlines:

Navigating Challenges Three Years Post-Coup

Sagaing Region's Tax Collection Challenges

Independent Media Claims To Be Target of Misinformation

Implications of Chinese Influence for the Indo-Pacific Region

Map of Ethnic Armed Groups

NUG Acts to Protect Mandalay's Heritage Sites

Self-Taught Rebels Leverage Drones in Fight

Ooredoo Introduces eSIM Service

China's Limited Influence Seen in Fragile Truce

Elected Resistance Parliamentarians Convene

Junta Targets Political Prisoners, Journalists, and Activists

Thailand's Role in Addressing the Crisis

Ceasefire Collapse Sees Fragile Truce Unravel

Navigating Challenges Three Years Post-Coup

Three years after Myanmar's military coup, the opposition remains focused on its challenge against the Tatmadaw. Despite increased military cooperation among ethnic armed organizations and some successes, the junta has still been able to hang on to power. To achieve success, the opposition needs to unify politically, find international recognition, and secure the resources necessary for a prolonged resistance. It seems that global support remains limited due to diplomatic and self-interest concerns and the conflict's complexity and international focus on other crises mean Myanmar's civil war, and the resulting human cost, is not likely to come to an end soon.

Sagaing Region's Tax Collection Challenges

In the Sagaing Region, the National Unity Government (NUG) has implemented a tax collection policy in an attempt to fund their armed resistance and provide social services to the community. Despite efforts to standardize taxation and prevent multiple charges, inconsistencies and a lack of transparency persist, resulting in a proliferation of toll gates taxes that have severely burdened residents and businesses. The NUG's policy is to allocate taxes to resistance fighters, township teams, and its education and health systems, but allegations of misappropriation by local authorities indicate a need for greater oversight in tax collection and usage.

Independent Media Claims To Be Target of Misinformation

The Junta is being called to task for using misinformation as a weapon against independent media by accusing them of spreading fake news about the country's political and economic situation. Myanmar-related independent media claims that they simply strive to maintain reporting standards and debunk misinformation. The regime's crackdown on media includes the arrest of hundreds of journalists (with roughly 50 still locked up) and the issuance of arrest warrants for many others.

Implications of Chinese Influence for the Indo-Pacific Region

An interview with Jason Tower, USIP's Burma program director, for the U.S. Institute of Peace radio program On Peace, discusses the conflict in Myanmar and China's growing involvement. Since October 27, ethnic armed organizations have intensified resistance, leading to territorial losses for the junta. China's involvement is measured, seemingly hampered by attempts to balance between stabilizing the border, protecting Chinese investment and reaping economic gains, all of which may be understandable, but the influence is raising concerns about the future of a free and open Indo-Pacific, especially as China uses Myanmar to access the Indian Ocean. The U.S. is closely monitoring these developments, supporting pro-democracy efforts while considering regional dynamics and the rise of transnational crime, which are now increasingly affecting U.S. citizens.

Map of Ethnic Armed Groups

This article from Barron’s has a handy AFP graphic from Crisis Group Asia that shows which ethnic armed groups control what parts of the country. Groups highlighted include the United Wa State Army, Shan State Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army and more.

NUG Acts to Protect Mandalay's Heritage Sites

The National Unity Government (NUG) has designated seven ancient cities in Mandalay Region as heritage sites in an attempt to shield them from junta attacks as tensions escalate. The sites, including Mine Maw, Myinsaing, Mekkhaya, Watee, Pinya, Inwa, and Tagaung, are historically significant, dating back up to 2,000 years. The NUG's Interim Board for Heritage Administration (IBFHA) has prohibited military operations and destruction at these sites, hoping to protect Myanmar's cultural heritage.

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