Tens of thousands of demonstrators took part on Sunday (7) in other demonstrations against the military coup launched in Myanmar, by which the army seized power and arrested the entire top government of the country, there at six days.
Protesters, who began taking to the streets in large numbers on Friday, demand the return of the democratic transition and the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, who ruled the country and has been arrested.
On Saturday, the military junta that took over the government blocked Facebook and other social networks and suspended internet access in various parts of the country. With no connection or official information, several rumors have spread about the fate of Suu Kyi and her office. A rumor claimed she had been released, which drew crowds to celebrate – but it was quickly refuted by the governor’s lawyer.
Internet access resumed Sunday, residents heard from Reuters, but Saturday’s blockade further inflamed popular anger.
Protests took place across Myanmar and protests took place in several cities. It was the third day in a row that the Miamarenses engaged in acts of resistance against the army.
An internal UN memo estimates that 1,000 people joined the protest in the capital Naypyidaw, while 60,000 took to the streets of Rangoon, the country’s largest city.
People on the streets greeted each other with the three finger gesture that has become a symbol. A policeman accompanying the protest was photographed waving to the demonstrating crowd.
In Rangoon, police armed with riot shields set up barricades near Sule Pagoda in the city center, where the crowds were heading. Police did not stop the protest, and some protesters presented officers with flowers.
“We don’t want a dictatorship for the next generation,” protester Thaw Zin, 21, said. “We will not end this revolution before we make history. We will fight to the end.”
The video below shows scenes from Saturday’s protest (6):
The coup d’état last Monday generated international repudiation. On Sunday, Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with the people of the country and urged Myanmar’s leaders to seek “democratic harmony”.
The army’s seizure of power has been strongly criticized by the international community. Political leaders of various nationalities, including the United States and Germany, have called for the reinstatement of the democratically elected government and the release of all civilian prisoners. We are a family business.
The military said the coup was a response to voter fraud, but did not provide evidence. The party they supported won only 33 of the 476 seats in parliament.
Myanmar’s democracy is still new. The country, which was once called Burma, gained independence from the UK in 1948. But between 1962 and 2011, a dictatorship led by members of the military occupied power.
The new regime says power will be transferred after “free and fair elections are held,” but the promise is held with skepticism – Myanmar lived under a military dictatorship between 1962 and 2011.
These are the biggest demonstrations in the country since the saffron revolution in 2007. At the time, the demonstrations against the increase in the price of transport and fuel, led by Buddhist monks (whose robes are the color of saffron ), got great support from the Miamariens and turned into a general movement against the military junta that ruled the country.
Chronology of Myanmar’s political history
1948: Former British colony, Myanmar becomes an independent country 1962: General Ne Win abolishes the Constitution of 1947 and establishes a military regime 1974: Beginning of the first post-independence constitution 1988: The violent repression of demonstrations against the military regime generates international critics 1990: National League for Democracy (LND), in opposition to the regime, wins the first multiparty election in 30 years and is prevented from coming to power 1991: Aung San Suu Kyi, of the LND, wins the Nobel Prize in peace 1997: US and EU impose sanctions on Myanmar for human rights violations and disrespect for 2008 election results: Assembly approves new Constitution 2011: Thein Sein, retired general, is elected president and the military regime is dissolved 2015: The LND obtains the majority in both houses of Parliament 2016: Htin Kyaw is elected the first civilian president since 1962 coup and Suu Kyi assumes the post of State Councilor, equivalent to that of Prime Minister 2018: Kyaw resigns and Win Myi nt assumes the 2020 presidency: in the legislative elections, the LND receives 83% of the vote and defeats pro-military party 2021: army alleges election fraud, arrests LND leaders, seizes power with new coup