Episode #219: Revolt, Rebuild, Rebirth
“This is a very exciting moment for our resistance forces,” says Kyaw Zaw, the spokesperson for the Office of the President of the National Unity Government, speaking on the recent developments in the wake of Operation 1027. He does not mince words on how pivotal a moment this is. “The whole military is fragile. The military is collapsing,” he says. “This is an unprecedented time, and a turning point in this revolution. It shows that we are winning, and when we are fighting together, then the military is collapsing. When the military fails, then this revolution will succeed!”
Kyaw Zaw scoffs at pre-coup assumptions that Myanmar’s military was the strongest in the region, pointing out that their fighting prowess was diminished over the years by corrupt generals who prioritized personal fortunes over maintaining the country’s forces. As an example, he explains that battalions are supposed to have at least 500 men, but analysts estimate the number may only be around 100 these days. Fighting units have also become depleted by defection, and Kyaw Zaw notes that the NUG “warmly welcomes” soldiers who leave the military, and provide accommodations and care for their families. “They know that only by switching to the side of the people, not only will they save their own lives and their families, but also that they can be part of the restructuring and rebuilding of the nation.”
Addressing Operation 1027, which many say is shifting the momentum in favor of the resistance, Kyaw Zaw points out that this is “not simply an ordinary military operation, but a military operation with a political objective to end the military dictatorship in Myanmar for once and for all.” He describes the months of careful planning and coordination between different groups in order to pull it off, rejecting the media’s characterization of it being carried out solely by the Three Brotherhood Alliance. “This is unprecedented unity that we have in Myanmar, and this is how we all are united against a common enemy, which is which is the military dictatorship. We are fighting not for regime change, but for system change… We want to replace the military dictatorship with a federal democracy.”
Kyaw Zaw describes how coalition forces are not just collaborating on the battlefield, but also in regions of the country where the military no longer rules, administering services ranging from the judiciary, to education, to the local police force, to medical care, to banking. They are also trying to restore the infrastructure, communication, and media outlets that the military has destroyed, as well as find a way to care for the millions of people throughout the country that have now become displaced due to the violence. Kyaw Zaw acknowledges it is no small feat to be simultaneously trying to win a revolution against an entrenched, tyrannical regime while also looking to administer government services, with scarcely any international support to speak of! “I will say that this is the most innovative revolution in world history,” he remarks. “We are fighting against the mighty military dictatorship. And after a very short period of time, we are winning, because of the people's support, and also with our innovative ways.”
Looking at the involvement of Western countries, Kyaw Zaw is thankful for the support shown thus far, but also expresses concern that they still have not issued sanctions on jet fuel (a topic that Montse Ferrer covered on a recent episode), as airstrikes on civilians continue to take many innocent lives. Given their weakened infantry units, the military has become more reliant on their air power, which Kyaw Zaw notes is largely supported by Russia. “Russian pilots are even training the Burmese pilots in Myanmar. And some reports are indicating that Russian pilots are flying the jets and then dropping the bombs!” Given this foreign interference, Kyaw Zaw hopes that the UN or ASEAN, for example, would take a more active role to limit the overt Russian support of the regime. The NUG has also been seeking international support for No Fly Zones or early defense systems to limit the damage caused by airstrikes, but that has also been to no avail.
He notes that, unfortunately, the UN has not had a great track record since the coup. UN agencies have resisted providing humanitarian funds through anything but military channels. Regarding this, Kyaw Zaw echoes the words of Shade, a past podcast guest, exclaiming that “support that goes through Naypyidaw will never reach the most vulnerable people!” He explains how, in the last month alone, the displaced population has increased by a half a million. It is the height of insanity and hypocrisy for the UN to send large amounts of money to the military to help the very people the military has intentionally displaced! Rather, this money will more likely be used to harm more innocent civilians.
Kyaw Zaw is well aware of the opinion of many outside observers that once the military falls, the country will plunge into a prolonged and bloody civil war, as each group will stake out its own influence and territory. “It will not happen,” he says forcefully. “It will be a new Myanmar. It will be a stronger, peaceful and more united Myanmar.” He points out that there is no resistance group currently proclaiming a wish to be an entirely independent entity, and that rather, all are expressing their desire to build a federal democracy. “We may argue at the negotiation table, but we are not going to fight or turn against each other, that will never happen! We all are one, we are all in the same boat.” As evidence, he loops back to the government services now being provided in liberated areas, noting how rule of law and cooperation have allowed this to develop, and that in a post-coup Myanmar, this will only blossom further.
Additionally, even as the fighting continues today, democratic actors have continued discussing the federal charter they hope to create in the new Myanmar. Noting that the current NUG is only the interim government, which is necessary during this period of instability and active conflict, the next phase will be a “transitional constitutional arrangement,” which a Coordination Committee is already working towards. “If the military falls tomorrow, we have the roadmap, we have a plan, and will a transition government to lead that period. Then, the federal constitution will be widely consulted with the people across Myanmar, and then will be approved by the people of Myanmar. And then we'll have free, inclusive, and fair elections. We are building an inclusive democracy.” He also adds that there are plans in the works to develop an interim Central Bank, echoing the recent words of Sean Turnell describing how this coup has almost entirely gutted the Myanmar economy.
“We want to save innocent lives and build a peaceful, stable, and prosperous country, and to be part of the international community,” he says in closing. “We are resourceful country, a resource-rich country. We have talented, resilient, people who want to rebuild our country.”