Myanmar Crisis: A Brief Overview of the Country's History and the Rohingya Refugee Crisis

This article provides a brief overview of Myanmar's history, including its colonization and ethnic division. It also discusses the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis and the international community's response. The article concludes with suggestions for a long-lasting solution to the crisis.

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Myanmar crisis
Myanmar is a Southeast Asian country whose size is 261,228 square miles (676,578
square kilometers) (Topich et al. 6). Formerly as Burma, the country borders Bangladesh and
India to the west, Laos, and Thailand to its west and China to its north. Myanmar has more than
100 ethnic groups whose official language is Burmese, and about seven recognized regional
languages (Topich et al. 7). The country's capital city is Naypyidaw. Yangon is the country’s
largest city and its former capital city.
The country was colonized by Britain until it gained its independence in 1948 (Cederman
et al. 11). Before the invasion of British who came in as colonizers, the indigenous inhabitants of
Myanmar lived as one community. However, with the British rule in place, there was an
introduction of various economic, social-cultural and administrative changes that completely
changed the country (Keyes et al. 23). Since independence, the state has witnessed longest-
running civil wars from multiple groups representing political and ethnic minority groups and
succeeding central governments. Due to conflict, the nation was under the military rule since
1962 until 2010, the situation which left the country to be among the least developed country
(Cederman et al. 14). Despite the introduction of a new constitution 2008 and a democratic
election in 2010, the military continues to hold significant power within the government (Topich
et al. 11).

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The country's culture is based on Buddhism or Hindu myths, the aspect which has been
influenced by its neighboring countries like China and India (Topich et al. 16). Westernization
and the presence of the British colonial rule have also profoundly changed many aspects of
Burmese culture, including education and language. The country is characterized by diverse
ethnic groups which has brought struggle for natural resources, territories, and self-determination
among various ethnic groups (Topich et al. 17).
Since 1988, Myanmar has continued to expand its regional relationships (Topich et al.
17). Currently, the country is a member of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical
and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN), United
Nations (UN), and World Trade Organization (WTO). Due to the above affiliation, the
representatives of UN, EU and those from ASEAN have visited Myanmar (Vivian 2017).
As mentioned earlier, Myanmar has undergone various military coups in the 60s, 70s, and
80s (Topich et al. 26). The country maintained the name Burma until 1989 after an army coup
led by General Saw Maung when the state changed its name to Myanmar (Topich et al. 27). The
regime felt that the name Myanmar was more inclusive of the minority ethnic groups and
cultures as opposed to Burma which was derived from one majority ethnic group (Topich et al.
28).
Rohingya crisis in 2015 refers to the mass migration of Rohingya people from Myanmar
(Vivian 2017). Most of the refugees who fled the country sought refuge in countries like
Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Rohingya people are a minority Muslim group
who lives in the western state of Rakhine in Myanmar. The regime does not acknowledge group
as they were referred to as refugees from Bangladesh. As a result, the Rohingya people face a lot

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of hostility from the government as they are highly prosecuted (Vivian 2017). Therefore, it has
led to mass migration to the neighboring states seeking refuge and other humanitarian support.
The international community responded to the incident by disapproving the “campaign of
ethnic cleansing." Many countries who are members to United Nations primarily US and UK
pledged to help the Rohingya refugees. Countries like the US even allowed people from the
country into state. The UK government has promised to give out 47 million pounds to help in
providing emergency services and supplies to the refugees (Vivian 2017). Even the British
citizens contributed around 17 million pounds to improve on the menace (Vivian 2017).
As a diplomat and an international relations expert, engaging in a few steps which would
help in ensuring there are no more refugees fleeing the country, and also warrant that
neighboring states are as friendly is essential. First and foremost, urging the government of
Myanmar to stop killing and prosecuting Rohingya people and also ensuring their rights are
protected which includes right to settle and enjoy life in Myanmar is of essence (Misra 52).
Secondly, ensuring engagement in international community including UN and ASEAN to take
part in trying to mediate and negotiate with the government of Myanmar to eradicate all the
discriminatory laws and allow the Rohingya people to remain in the country (Misra 54). Finally,
encouraging the neighboring countries like India and Bangladesh to host the refugees, being
friendly by offering all the humanitarian support as diplomat cohorts negotiate for a long-lasting
solution (Misra 55).
Conclusion
Clearly, the level of ethnic division being witnessed in Myanmar traces its way back from
the colonial era. Colonization brought division among the people leading to majority and

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minority groups in the country. The ongoing prosecution and elimination of Rohingya people is a
human rights violation, and it should come to an end. Thus, the international community,
humanitarian groups, and diplomats should aid in averting further crisis.

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Works cited
Cederman, Lars-Erik, Kristian Skrede Gleditsch, and Halvard Buhaug. Inequality, grievances,
and civil war. Cambridge University Press, 2013, pp. 10-19.
Keyes, Charles F., and Shigeharu Tanabe. Cultural crisis and social memory: Modernity and
identity in Thailand and Laos. Routledge, 2013. pp. 21-38.
Misra, Amalendu. Politics of civil wars: conflict, intervention & resolution. Routledge, 2013,
pp.51-58.
Topich, William J., and Keith A. Leitich. The history of Myanmar. ABC-CLIO, 2013, pp.5-35.
Vivian Tan. UNHCR report.“Over 168,000 Rohingya likely fled Myanmar since 2012”,
UNHCR, The Refugee Agency, 03 May 2017.