Opponents of Myanmar coup form unity govt, aim for ‘federal democracy’

Opponents of Myanmar’s junta announced a National Unity Government yesterday including ousted members of parliament and leaders of anti-coup protests and ethnic minorities, saying their aim was to end military rule and restore democracy.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the Feb 1 coup that ousted a civilian government led by democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi which had held power for five years and was starting its second term after a landslide election victory in November.
People have taken to the streets day after day to demand the restoration of democracy, defying crackdowns by the security forces in which more than 700 people have been killed, according to a monitoring group.
At the same time, political leaders, including ousted members of parliament from Suu Kyi’s party, have been trying to organise to show the country and the outside world that they and not the generals are the legitimate political authority.
“Please welcome the people’s government,” veteran democracy activist Min Ko Naing said in a 10-minute video address announcing the formation of the National Unity Government (NUG). While setting out few positions, Min Ko Naing said the will of the people was the unity government’s priority, while acknowledging the scale of the task at hand.
“We’re trying to get this out from the roots so we have to sacrifice a lot,” he said, referring to the junta.
A spokesman for the junta could not be reached for comment. The generals justified their takeover with accusations of fraud in the November election won by Suu Kyi’s party, though the election commission dismissed the objections.
One of the unity government’s primary objectives will be to win international support and recognition.
“We are the democratically elected leaders of Myanmar,” said the unity government’s minister of international co-operation, Dr Sasa, who goes by one name.
“So if the free and democratic world rejects us that means they reject democracy.”
International pressure has been building on the Myanmar military, particularly from Western governments that have imposed limited sanctions, though the generals have a long record of dismissing what they see as outside interference. The unity government released a list of office holders including members of ethnic minorities and protest leaders, underlining the unity of purpose between the pro-democracy movement and autonomy-seeking minority communities, some of whom have battled the central government for decades.
Suu Kyi, who has been in detention since the coup, was listed as state counsellor, the post she held in government.
The only known communication she has had with the outside world since the coup has been monitored video calls with her lawyers.
A spokesman for the democratic politicians said while they could not inform her about their new government, he was sure she was aware of what was happening.
Sasa told Reuters the objective was to end violence, restore democracy and build a “federal democratic union”.