An international political analyst once described Burma (now officially Myanmar) as Asia’s Heart of Darkness. In a sense, this is painfully true. Burma is a nation strategically positioned between India and China, inhabited by 53 million and once the richest producer of commodities in Southeast Asia. It remains torn between a profound thirst for democracy and freedom and the unbending totalitarian regime that has ruled it for 62 years since its Independence from Britain.

In the midst of this political saga stands a demure, delicate and fragile looking woman. Her name is Aung San Suu Kyi. She is the daughter of one of the most important figures of modern-day Burma, General Aung San, who was assassinated in 1947. Suu Kyi was orphaned at the age of two and truly knows very little of her father in her upbringing. Yet, his legacy has been unavoidable and has, for Suu Kyi, determined her life and her family’s destiny for almost three decades.

Before returning to care for her sick mother, Suu Kyi lived a normal life as mother and housewife in suburban England. Married to an English scholar, Michael Aris, she continued studying, achieving a PhD in 1985. The tumultuous events surrounding Burma in 1988 led to a string of events that saw her enter Burmese politics at a stage when many believed Burma would turn a page and become a fully fledged modern nation. Sadly, this would not happen.

Suu Kyi found herself leading the National League for Democracy Party that would, in 1990, win the elections with a landslide victory. The NLD would garner 59 per cent of the votes and control 80 per cent of the parliamentary seats. The generals would have none of this result. Power would not be handed over and Suu Kyi’s trials and tribulations were just about to begin. She would spend the next 15 years out of 21 either incarcerated or under house arrest. Isolated from her husband and family, she would witness the systematic decimation of her party.

Many nations around the world have recognised Suu Kyi’s titanic efforts to restore democracy in a pacifist and non-violent manner. For her efforts, she has received innumerable awards, among which the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991.

Many have accused Suu Kyi of being too moderate. She has eschewed violence at every turn. Suu Kyi remains adamant that moral right should prevail over might and force. In this sense, she is likened to another historical figure, Nelson Mandela. Of course, the conditions and historical backgrounds of these two personalities differ, yet, by and large, the quality of perseverance and stoic tenacity are very similar in both. It takes inner strength and steely courage to survive years of isolation and frustration without cracking or giving up in the face of apparent insurmountable odds.

After 20 years of isolation and severe sanctions, especially from the West, the Burmese Junta have made two apparently significant moves. The first is to call elections after an absence of 20 years. Many have called this a bogus political exercise. Suu Kyi remained under house arrest during the proceedings and the NLD did not participate, hence, leading to it being dissolved by the Burmese regime.

The second and more important move was Suu Kyi’s release from house arrest on November 13. Alas, this is not the first time Suu Kyi has been released. This cat-and-mouse game has been going on for over 20 years and probably any pretext will see Suu Kyi back in prison or house arrest!

There seem to be three possible reasons as to why Suu Kyi has been released. The first is that the release is a signal from the generals they consider her a manageable threat and that her age will now hamper her in re-establishing any significant power base that has been eroded over time.

Secondly, it could be optimistically endorsing a change of tact on the part of the regime signalling a slow path to civilian rule and part democratisation. Finally, it could be a way for the generals to play for time and restart economic relations with trading partners in an attempt to re-invigorate an impoverished and underperforming economy.

The real reasons will be played out in the coming weeks and months. It is unlikely that things will remain status quo and one waits for developments since, after all, Suu Kyi has made it clear her release is not constrained by any conditions.

Truly, the events in Burma are far removed from our present day realities. Yet, it would not be amiss to reflect on the stark reality that surrounds 20th century Burmese history. It should serve as an inspiration for us all to do our utmost every day to preserve freedom, democracy and the right to live in peace within the parameters of legitimate human rights.

info@carolinegalea.com

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.