The first anniversary of Myanmar's military coup is approaching. Since Feb 1 last year, the country's socio-political landscape has changed dramatically. Brutal fighting has reached many parts of the country and the economy lies in tatters, while the UN warns that half the population may soon slip below the poverty line.
A broad-based resistance movement has been formed, with the National Unity Government (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) as important players, while many of the country's Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAO's) and newly formed people's militias play substantial roles in various parts of the country.
The illegitimate military regime, the State Administration Council (SAC), is detested by a vast majority of the population. The SAC's military might is considerable but it lacks effective control of the country, including of important civilian public administration sectors such as health, education and transport. The peace processes with ethnic armed groups that dominated the past decade are now moribund.
