UNDERSTANDING THE EMERGENCE OF MYANMAR PARALLEL GOVERNMENT: FROM 2021 COUP TO CIVIL WAR

Abstract

Since the Commander in Chief of the Myanmar Military, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing seized the power and expelled all elected lawmakers on February 1, 2021, the country has resulted in chaos. Consequently, the National Unity Government (NUG) was formed by most of the former elected NLD lawmakers, Aung San Suu Kyi party, to challenge the military regime. The objective of this research is to examine the mobilization of the NUG and its supporters. The research applies qualitative research methods and a documentary analysis approach. This study utilizes the theory of social media ‘mobilization theory and reinforcement theory to examine the move of NUG and its supporters. The main research question is ‘How do the NUG and its supporters struggle to gain power and utilize social media to achieve legitimacy after the 2021 military coup?’ The NUG and its supporters’ diffusing ideas, words, interact and discourse through social media to win the fight for legitimacy are effective and historic. However, political polarization in certain conflicts has diminished the credibility of the NUG and the efforts of its supporters. Five key findings include: changing public views via social media terminology; mobilizing diasporas and locals for crowdfunding; organizing protests against State-Owned Enterprises; Myanmar’s UN ambassador advocating for human rights; and removing military-linked social media accounts.