Reflections on Myanmar’s Peace

 

By Aung Myo Lwin

It is certain that all the people of Myanmar desire peace. I am not interested in the agendas of China, India, or the United States; what I truly want to know is: who among us, here in Myanmar, actually does not want peace? Why is that?

Answering this requires examining the roles of self-interest, ideology, blind nationalism, and the hunger for power. Beyond these, "fear" and a deep "trust deficit" are primary drivers that prolong this conflict. As long as sides are paralyzed by the primal fear for their own survival, peace talks will remain merely superficial.

Furthermore, the current conflict has birthed a "war economy"—an environment where certain factions profit only if the instability continues. Revenues from checkpoint "taxes," illicit trade, and diverted donations are the thorny barriers blocking the path to peace. For those who benefit from this chaos, peace is not a goal; it is a threat to their livelihood.

I must emphasize that while the rule of law allows for police action against offenders, in the current Myanmar context, such authority is only legitimate when it is clear, transparent, and beyond dispute. We need more than just punitive justice; we need "transitional justice"—a framework that integrates restorative justice and a sincere commitment to uncovering the truth for the sake of those who have suffered.

If we seek a peaceful resolution to today’s crisis, we must ask: Are both the NUG and the military junta truly willing to relinquish the power they hold for the sake of the nation? Even if a ceasefire is signed, how many armed factions will still refuse to lay down their weapons? If we do not address the root causes, the conflict will never truly end.

Therefore, we must objectively examine how this problem started and how it has been handled. We need to compile a "mutually accepted truth" by synthesizing evidence from state-owned, private, and international media. We must accept that true justice is not found in victory or defeat, but in a factual understanding of cause and effect.

Instead of wasting time debating the failures of the past, we must act with selfless patriotism. We must solve these issues with a constructive vision for the future—specifically, asking ourselves: "What kind of Myanmar are we building for the next generation?" Only with this mindset can we walk the path of lasting peace.

Watching the situation in Myanmar from afar, I write these reflections out of a sincere hope that the suffering of our people will finally come to an end.