Understanding Myanmar Politics: A Historical Overview

If you're getting a headache trying to understand Myanmar's complex political changes, you're not alone. With its long national history, hundreds of ethnic groups, dozens of armed organizations, hundreds of political parties, and military-dominated past, understanding this country's history is truly challenging.

Nevertheless, here are the key political transitions from Myanmar's long history to help you understand the country's political landscape.

Loss of Independence

The British conquered Myanmar through three Anglo-Burmese wars and officially colonized it as a British territory on January 1, 1886. This marked the loss of both Myanmar's sovereignty and independence. Following this, the Myanmar ethnic groups resisted the British in various ways and forms.

Regaining Independence

In 1941, the Thirty Comrades formed in Japan, which later became the foundation of the Myanmar Armed Forces. Led by General Aung San, the Thirty Comrades fought alongside the people for independence. As a result, Myanmar gained independence from the British in 1948.

Start of Civil War

Shortly after gaining independence in 1948, the Communist Party of Burma went underground, triggering the start of civil war. Some military battalions joined the insurgency, and by 1949-1950, 31 major cities, including Insein, had fallen under the control of armed groups. The military (Tatmadaw) led the fight against the civil war.

Foreign Invasion

In late 1949, U.S.-backed Chinese Kuomintang forces invaded Kengtung in Shan State. When taking the issue to the UN didn't resolve the situation, the Myanmar military had to drive them out through the Bayinnaung and Yangyiaung operations in 1954.

AFPFL Split

After independence, the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL) government ruled the country. However, in 1958, it split into two factions: the Clean AFPFL led by Prime Minister U Nu and the Stable AFPFL led by Home Minister U Kyaw Nyein. Both sides tried to win the military's support, and the military backed U Kyaw Nyein's Stable AFPFL. This was how politicians attempted to draw the military into politics.

1958 Power Transfer

In 1958, Prime Minister U Nu transferred power to military leader General Ne Win. General Ne Win's caretaker government took over. Contemporary historians record this as a military takeover.

From 1945 to 1958, the Myanmar military enjoyed deep public trust and confidence. They helped achieve independence, suppressed the civil war, and repelled foreign invasion. This trust in the military lasted until General Ne Win's coup in 1962.

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1962 Coup

Using political disagreements as a pretext and citing national security concerns, military leader General Ne Win staged a coup. Following this coup, the Revolutionary Council ruled for 12 years, and the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) ruled with a one-party dictatorship for 14 years. In total, they ruled from 1962 to 1988, spanning 26 years.

1988 Coup

The 8888 People's Uprising in August 1988 brought down General Ne Win's government. However, in September 1988, the military staged its third coup, and the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) government came to power. Though SLORC held elections in May 1990, they refused to transfer power to the winning National League for Democracy (NLD) party and continued ruling until 2010. The 1988 military coup lasted 22 years, from 1988 to 2010.

2008 Constitution

The military government led by Senior General Than Shwe managed to ratify the 2008 Constitution. They held the public referendum during the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, leading people to nickname it the "Nargis Constitution." This constitution became a source of significant political controversy.

2010 Transition

Following Senior General Than Shwe's plan, the 2010 election was held based on the 2008 Constitution. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won. The Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), and Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Union Parliament) were established. The three pillars of democracy - executive, legislative, and judicial branches - emerged.

Military leader Senior General Than Shwe retired, and President Thein Sein's government came to power through the election. Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was released. The National League for Democracy (NLD) party registered in December 2011. Political and economic transitions began. The international community forgave Myanmar's debts, international investments flowed in, and internet and mobile communications developed rapidly.

2012 By-election

President Thein Sein's government held by-elections in 2012. The NLD party won 43 out of 44 contested seats. Aung San Suu Kyi herself won a seat in the Pyithu Hluttaw, representing Kawhmu constituency in Yangon Region. The NLD party, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, entered parliament.

2015 General Election

Under President Thein Sein's government, the 21st Century Panglong Conference was initiated, and a Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement was signed with eight ethnic armed organizations. In 2015, President Thein Sein's government held free and fair elections. The NLD party won by a landslide and became the ruling government. They continued implementing social and economic changes.

2020 Election

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 election was successfully held. Although voter turnout was expected to be low, it reached record levels. The public overwhelmingly chose the NLD party again, which won 396 out of 476 seats.

Both before and after the election, the military submitted numerous objections regarding voter lists. Political tensions escalated.

2021 Coup

On February 1, 2021, the military seized power, citing electoral fraud. They arrested President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, NLD parliamentarians, and numerous NLD party members. The 2021 coup fundamentally reversed all political and economic reforms.

Myanmar, which had been under the shadow of military rule until 2010, faced another coup after just a decade of freedom.

Following the coup, anti-coup movements emerged nationwide, dubbed the Spring Revolution. Generation Z educated youth primarily led the Spring Revolution, with ethnic armed organizations later joining the resistance.

Due to the aftermath of the 2021 coup, Myanmar remains unstable through 2024, with conflicts occurring throughout the country. Young people continue to face an uncertain future.

By Han Thit Ein (Y3A)

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