Opponents of Myanmar s junta announced a National Unity Government on Friday including ousted members of parliament and leaders of anti-coup protests and ethnic minorities, saying their aim was to root out military rule and restore democracy.
Myanmar has been in violent turmoil since a 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 been taking 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.
Myanmar’s ousted MPs form shadow government
It is working to overthrow the junta SAMAA | AFP - Posted: Apr 16, 2021 | Last Updated: 6 hours ago SAMAA | AFP Posted: Apr 16, 2021 | Last Updated: 6 hours ago
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted civilian leader Auung San Suu Kyi from power in a February 1 putsch. Photo: AFP/STR
A “parliament” working in hiding to oust Myanmar’s junta from power announced a new shadow government Friday, with deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi at its helm alongside ethnic minority politicians.
The country has been in turmoil since the military detained
Suu Kyi and seized power, triggering a massive uprising that the junta has
More than 700 protesters have been as they voice opposition to the military junta
A Myanmar council of ousted lawmakers announced on Friday they are forming a National Unity Government, including anti-coup activists and ethnic minorities, to restore democracy.
Political leaders and deposed members of parliament have been trying to organize to regain power from the military since the February 1 coup pushed Myanmar into turmoil.
The National Unity Government is an upgrade from what had been called the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH).
Elected lawmakers, who were barred by the army from taking their seats, formed the CRPH shortly after the coup. The body has since tried to gain international recognition as Myanmar s legitimate government.
Myanmar anti-coup opposition forms unity government, pushes for international recognition theglobeandmail.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theglobeandmail.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By Press Association 2021
Police security forces stand by inside a police vehicle and on the sidewalk of Hledan Road in Kamayut township in Yangon, Myanmar (AP)
Opponents of Myanmar’s ruling junta went on the political offensive, declaring they have formed an interim national unity government with members of Aung San Suu Kyi’s ousted cabinet and major ethnic minority groups.
The move comes on the eve of a diplomatic initiative to solve Myanmar’s crisis by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which is expected to hold a summit next week.
A violent crackdown by the junta has failed to stem opposition to the coup, and as the army has spread the fight to ethnic minorities in border areas, some Asean members believe the crisis threatens regional stability.