Myanmar 20250204
Mekong Memo Myanmar Weekly: Business, politics, finance, trade & legal news.
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Here is this week’s edition of the Mekong Memo for Myanmar.
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Headlines:
Civil War Enters Fifth Year
Construction Slows on Economic Corridor
US Cancels Student Scholarship Program
Registration Expands for Military Service
Media Restrictions Tighten
International Groups Demand Action
Fraud Networks Affect Regional Tourism
Air Force Adds New Aircraft
Regional Leaders Address Crisis from Lankawi
Thai Power Supply Review Targets Border Areas
Civil War Enters Fifth Year
Fighting has reached the four-year mark with opposition forces controlling more territory. Armed resistance groups are expanding operations while central control weakens. Public services and economic conditions continue to deteriorate as humanitarian needs grow. More than 20 million people now require aid, with internal displacement reaching 3.5 million. A disaster, all around, by any metric.
Read more: Eurasia Review (OpEd), Tribune India (Humanitarian Crisis), Radio Free Asia (Airstrikes), UCA News (OpEd)
Construction Slows on Economic Corridor
Work has paused along sections of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor as fighting is disrupting construction. The 1,000-kilometer Belt and Road project connecting Kyaukphyu port to China is facing more delays, including suspension of the Muse-Mandalay railway. While smaller projects continue, instability is affecting the viability of major infrastructure plans, much to the detriment of the nation.
Read more: The Diplomat
US Cancels Student Scholarship Program
The Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Program supporting Myanmar students at Southeast Asian universities has ended after an executive review. Current and prospective students are now deeply uncertain about their education path. The program had enrolled hundreds with plans for expansion over five years. This is a hot-button issue in the United States, and it is good to read the story from the perspective of those on the ground.
Read more: Radio Free Asia
Registration Expands for Military Service
Authorities are collecting data on men aged 18-35 and have also started to register women in Yangon and other areas. The service law mandates fixed-term duty with penalties for those who decide that they’d rather not comply with the orders. Families say they are concerned about losing young members to mandatory service as communities try to blunt workforce impacts.
Read more: The Irrawaddy
Media Restrictions Tighten
More than 200 reporters have been arrested and seven have died so far while covering the ongoing civil war. Officials have revoked media licenses and used legal measures to try and restrict independent coverage and keep the truth under wraps. Press freedom groups are demanding the release of detained journalists as restrictions continue to limit information flow.
Read more: RSF (Press Repression)
International Groups Demand Action
The EU and eight nations have issued a statement on the increasing violence and rights violations found in Myanmar. Western governments have already put sanctions on linked individuals and entities, of course, but the statement demands reduced military action and unimpeded humanitarian access while calling for the release of political prisoners.
Read more: OHCHR (UN Statement)
Fraud Networks Affect Regional Tourism
Chinese tour groups are canceling bookings following kidnapping reports linked to scam operations in the region. Chinese and Thai authorities are reportedly investigating criminal networks running fraudulent call centers and trafficking schemes. Will anything change? Officials say that the crackdowns will protect consumers and restore confidence in cross-border travel, but it seems that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Read more: China Global South (Scam Talks), SCMP (Joint Action)
Air Force Adds New Aircraft
State-owned AVIC has delivered eight aircraft as military leaders work to update outdated and failure-prone equipment. The air force has also picked up a few jets from Russia while working to stem territorial and personnel “challenges.” Leaders say they need to focus on technology upgrades and force expansion if they are going to hold the fort.
Read more: BNI
Regional Leaders Address Crisis from Lankawi
ASEAN ministers meeting in Langkawi are talking about how to distribute aid through community organizations as well as making new calls for prisoner releases. Leaders are considering cooperation with opposition groups and civil society organizations in Myanmar as they grow tired of the ongoing drama in the country. Discussions have been focused, hopefully, on transition plans and paths to stability, but it remains to be seen how much action will result from the chin-wagging.
Read more: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Thai Power Supply Review Targets Border Areas
Thai officials say that they are considering reducing electricity to border regions with Myanmar to put more pressure on illegal (scam/ human trafficking) operations. If put into effect, the plans could halve power to areas like Shwe Kokko and KK Park if the illegalities continue. Security agencies are reportedly reviewing protocols to avoid disrupting legitimate activities, but as usual, the devil’s in the details.
Read more: Asia News Network
That’s it for this week… THANK YOU.
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