Myanmar Spring Chronicle – September 25 Scene
(MoeMaKa) September 26, 2024
War, Flood, Famine, and Political Crises
The first key news to highlight is that while Myanmar is severely affected by floods, the brutal military junta is making intense efforts to conduct an election.
As a result, the CDF (Chinland Defense Force) of Hakha, Mindat, and the PDF (People’s Defense Forces) of Pyin Pone Gyi have issued warnings that those collaborating with the junta for the fake election will be treated like junta soldiers and will face harsh consequences. Reports indicate that on September 23, the junta trained non-CDM (Civil Disobedience Movement) workers on how to register for the election, and the CDF stated that those conducting the census for the junta will be regarded as junta forces and shot.
Flood victims in Myanmar, already displaced by war, are now facing additional hardships, and the junta is exploiting their suffering. Meanwhile, the Spring Revolution forces are responding militarily. The junta, determined to prevent revolutionary forces from gaining control, has escalated attacks on civilian areas using airstrikes and heavy artillery.
Additionally, the junta is reportedly cutting off aid to flood-affected areas, a severe war crime, according to reports from NUG’s Ministry of Defense. For instance, the NUG has documented the junta’s deliberate seizing of relief supplies intended for flood victims and blocking communications and transport routes. The powerful Typhoon Ragi has left millions in Myanmar facing floods, with over 1,000 people reported dead or missing.
PDF battalions and defense groups under the NUG Ministry of Defense are actively involved in rescue operations for flood victims in areas under their control, providing both monetary and food aid. The humanitarian crisis is deepened by the junta’s actions, yet the revolutionary forces are working to alleviate the suffering.
Citizens who support the revolution see the junta’s cruelty and mass killings as deeply inhumane. International governments and organizations are being urged to act with compassion and support, but revolutionaries doubt their ability to truly understand or influence the junta, which shows no signs of empathy. Observers say that international bodies are too disconnected from the on-the-ground realities of the Myanmar people’s suffering.
On the other hand, Myanmar expatriates and citizens continue to support the revolutionary forces directly through organizations like NUGPay and SDB Banking, bypassing traditional financial systems controlled by the junta. NUGPay has enabled direct donations to reach both revolutionary groups and individuals in need.
In contrast to traditional large charity organizations, many revolution supporters are now choosing to donate directly to local groups working on the ground, ensuring accountability and effectiveness. The revolution has shifted the focus of aid from large-scale donations to more targeted support for local operations.
While international humanitarian organizations still provide aid to flood-affected areas, their involvement with the junta has led to skepticism. Many question the transparency and intentions of countries like China and other global powers when it comes to their involvement in Myanmar’s crises. Trust in these powers has diminished as the global focus shifts away from Myanmar due to other pressing international issues.
The upcoming UN General Assembly is seen as an opportunity for Myanmar activists to raise the issue again. The international community’s response is critical, and the presence of Myanmar’s representative, Kyaw Moe Tun, at the UN is of utmost importance for the Spring Revolution. The political struggles within the country must be solved by internal forces, but external recognition and support remain key to the revolutionary cause.
In conclusion, the people of Myanmar are anxiously observing the UN General Assembly, hoping for continued recognition of their representative and the Spring Revolution. The military junta’s cruelty, ongoing natural disasters, and political suppression are critical issues that need immediate attention. If these problems continue to be ignored by the global community, Myanmar’s struggle may become even more desperate.