To many historians, February 1, 2021, marked another dark day in Myanmar’s history. Throughout Myanmar’s tumultuous past, it has been characterized by three unified dynasties: the Bagan Dynasty (849–1297), the Toungoo Dynasty (1510–1752), and the Konbaung Dynasty (1752–1885), followed by a post-independence republic since 1948. The fourth era, which began with a civil war and culminated in a military dictatorship in 1962, has been marked by strife and division. On February 1, 2021, Commander-in-Chief Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and Sit-Tat made a grave error driven by their hunger for power and greed, sealing their own fates and halting the transition towards nascent democracy.

The February coup d’état launched against the elected civilian government has, in disguise, presented an opportunity for Myanmar’s people to uproot the military dictatorship, the root cause of long-standing crises and civil wars involving ethnic resistance organizations (EROs). This moment calls for the establishment of a fifth era in Myanmar, characterized by a genuine Federal Union, founded on equal participation by all ethnic groups.

The Spring Revolution emerged from peaceful demonstrations and the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) following the coup. The arbitrary arrest of elected members led to the formation of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) 1, an interim parliament on February 5, 2021. On March 8, 2021, the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC)2 was established as an alliance among CRPH, EROs, nationality-based consultative councils, allied political parties, civil society organizations, CDM, and demonstration groups. The Federal Democracy Charter (FDC) was drafted and ratified by the NUCC.2

On April 16, 2021, the National Unity Government (NUG)3 was formed as an interim government following FDC guidelines. On May 5, 2021, the People’s Defense Force (PDF)4 was formed by the NUG from youths and democracy activists, and on September 7, 2021, a “people’s defensive war” was declared by acting President Duwa Lashi La, officially launching a nationwide revolution against the military junta and the State Administration Council (SAC).5

Unlike previous uprisings since Myanmar’s independence in 1948 – which have included communist insurgencies, the Karen National Union (KNU)........

© Eurasia Review