UN warned of “unprecedented” risk of civil war in Myanmar and called for “bloodshed” to be avoided

Myanmar faces an “unprecedented” risk of civil war, the international body’s envoy to that country, Christine Schraner Burgener, told the UN Security Council on Wednesday, urging the body to to use “all means” to avoid a “catastrophe” and a “bloodbath”.

“It can happen before our eyes and failure to prevent a further escalation of atrocities will cost the world much more in the long run” than immediate action, Schraner Burgener said at a closed meeting of the Security Council, according to a speech. . obtained by the agency AFP.

She also said she remained open to dialogue with the military junta, but added: “If we just wait for them to agree to speak, the situation on the ground will only get worse. A bloodbath is imminent ”.

Myanmar’s military junta announced on Wednesday that it was already implementing a one-month unilateral ceasefire, but he made an exception for actions that disrupt government administrative and security operations, a clear reference to the mass movement that staged daily protests across the country against his takeover in February.

The announcement came after a wave of fight with at least two of the ethnic minority guerrilla organizations who maintain a strong presence in their respective border areas. More than a dozen of these groups have spent decades seeking greater autonomy from the central government, sometimes through armed struggle. Even in peacetime relations have been strained and ceasefires fragile.

“The cruelty of the military is too severe and many (armed ethnic fighters) are clearly taking opposing positions, increasing the possibility of civil war on an unprecedented scale.”Burgener said. “Failure to prevent further escalation of atrocities will cost the world much more in the long run than investing in prevention now, especially for Myanmar’s neighbors and the wider region.”

Movement against February 1 coup, which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, focuses on civil disobedience and calls on public and private sector employees to stop working to support the government apparatus. The organization has sought an alliance with armed minority ethnic groups to increase pressure on the junta, and wants them to form what they call a federal army. as a counterweight to the government’s armed forces.

The demonstrators, mostly peaceful, they clashed in towns and villages of Myanmar with police and soldiers armed with weapons of war which they freely used.

At least 536 protesters and passers-by have died since the coupaccording to the Myanmar Political Prisoner Assistance Association, which counts those it can document and says the actual number is likely much higher.

The forces of ethnic minorities did not immediately react to the announcement of the ceasefire. Several large groups – such as the Kachin in the north, the Karen in the east and the Arakan Rakhine army in western Myanmar – have publicly denounced the coup and said they will defend the protesters in the territory they control.

With information from AFP and AP

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