Myanmar military calls on anti-coup groups to abandon resistance and engage in dialogue | Conflict Updates

Myanmar’s military coup leaders have made a surprise move by urging their opponents to lay down their weapons and engage in political dialogue. The State Administration Council, as the military styled itself, called on ethnic armed groups and People’s Defence Forces fighting against military rule to abandon what it labeled as terrorism and start discussions. However, this offer was quickly rejected by the National Unity Government, with calls for the military leaders to step down. Since seizing power in February 2021, the military has faced significant resistance from armed groups and protesters, leading to thousands of deaths and detentions. The generals have promised new elections but have been widely criticized for their handling of the crisis. Despite announcing new election laws, many view the upcoming polls as a sham. Civil society groups have denounced the military’s attempts to legitimize its rule through elections, warning that it is simply a desperate ploy for false legitimacy. The military’s offer for talks has been seen as a tactic from their decades-old playbook and not a genuine attempt at resolving the political crisis in Myanmar. With ongoing international condemnation and internal resistance, the military’s hold on power appears to be increasingly tenuous.

Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com