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Richard Horsey Profile
Richard Horsey

@rshorsey

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Independent political analyst. Also Myanmar Adviser to @CrisisGroup . Former @ILO Myanmar rep. Presenter of Yeti on @BBCSounds .

Joined November 2015
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Today, I briefed the UN Security Council on the situation in Myanmar. The text of my comments is online here.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Today in non-violent resistance to Myanmar’s coup: a poster campaign with a pretty clear message, in the streets around me in Yangon... #WhatsHappeningInMaynmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Soldiers in Mandalay appearing to use a passing motorcycle for target practice.
@soezeya
soe zeya tun
3 years
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Heartbreaking
@maytoekhine
May Toe Khine
3 years
I came across a post written yesterday by a doctor who volunteered to help out in #HlaingTharyar hospital on the day of the deadliest crackdown in the area, 14th March. I translated most of it, hoping it gives us a glimpse on how harsh the reality was on that day. #Myanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
My neighbourhood in downtown Yangon really erupted this evening with the 8pm opposition to the Myanmar coup. Much louder and more persistent than yesterday. Still ongoing.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
My latest for @CrisisGroup on risk of Myanmar state collapse. Regime shows no sign of wanting to get out of crisis. Outside world has limited leverage, but must impose arms embargoes, sanctions on military, & prepare for huge humanitarian/development needs
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Myanmar regime statement on ASEAN Summit. Min Aung Hlaing supposedly joined 5-point consensus, but here regime says it “will give careful consideration…when the situation returns to stability”. Critical ASEAN now moves quickly to name envoy, visit Myanmar & speak with all sides.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
The #Myanmar military may calculate that deploying deadly force will deter demonstrators. But there’s a very real possibility that outrage will harden the resolve of protesters and those in the civil disobedience movement. The situation looks set for more serious confrontation.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Make no mistake - economic warfare against Myanmar is a terrible idea. It didn’t work in the 1990s and 2000s and caused massive harm to the population. It has a dismal record elsewhere (eg. Iraq). Don’t repeat the failures of the past.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Huge demonstrations across Yangon #Myanmar on Sunday. Tens of thousands of protesters converged in several locations. In raucous but peaceful standoff with police. Right now:
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
For those outside #Myanmar , here are some of my thoughts on the mood on the streets, the energy of the young protestors, and their anger that this coup has stolen their futures. The military will not easily contain this.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Coming one day before another general strike, this feels like the next phase in the military’s attempt to consolidate its coup. But the need to occupy hospitals, universities and pagodas is a very visible sign of illegitimacy and the strong public resistance to the military.
@Myanmar_Now_Eng
Myanmar Now
3 years
Military deploys troops to public buildings around the country The move has met with resistance at a number of locations, resulting in several protesters being injured by rubber bullets #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #RejectMilitaryCoup #2021uprising
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
General strike called today in Yangon #Myanmar . Large street protests converging downtown. Many onlookers cheering.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
A hugely significant move from Myanmar’s monks. MaHaNa, the govt-appointed body that regulates the Sangha, is highly conservative and extremely cautious. For it to break so clearly with the regime—which imagines itself protector of Buddhism—will galvanise monastic opposition.
@Myanmar_Now_Eng
Myanmar Now
3 years
The State Sahgha Maha Nayaka Committee (Mahana), a government-appointed body that oversees Myanmar’s Buddhist monkhood, has decided to stop its activities following a meeting today, one of the 47 monks who was in attendance told Myanmar Now. (THREAD) #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
This is what the streets of cities all across Myanmar are now like at night. Indiscriminate violence and intimidation by the military.
@soezeya
soe zeya tun
3 years
It was in Kalay, Sagaing region, about 10pm last night. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Myanmar Now telling it like it is: “Far from being the guarantor of state stability, Myanmar’s military seems sadistically intent on breaking the nation’s spirit.” Possibly in response, the military raided their offices today.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
This isn’t journalism or activism. Posting personal info & ID numbers (I’ve removed), and with no evidence of wrongdoing, risks inflaming anti-Chinese sentiment at a volatile moment. A time for fact checking rumours, not adding fuel. Latest in series of similar @mrattkthu tweets.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
State media sets out the #Myanmar regime’s 9 Objectives (non-random number). It’s a SLORC redux: “disciplined democracy”, import substitution, livestock breeding, Union spirit, cultural protectionism, brisk walks.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Myanmar firemen flee to India after being ordered to turn their hoses on protesters. The regime has a problem. Pre-2011, groups such as fire service and #Myanmar Red Cross were just extensions of the authoritarian state. But over the last 10 years they have changed. 1/2
@TostevinM
Matthew Tostevin
3 years
The number of police fleeing Myanmar for India is rising sharply. They say they fled fearing persecution for refusing orders to kill. by @DevjyotGhoshal #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Sharp analysis from @TMclaughlin3 on the impact of the #Myanmar coup on relations with China. Bottom line: Beijing not happy.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
This important @Frontier piece shows the extent to which civil disobedience in #Myanmar has paralysed haulage, customs, ports and trade.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Powerful account of the strong rhetorical condemnation but lack of concrete action against the Myanmar military's actions. As I'm quoted saying "the leverage is just not there". It's not there for familiar reasons: UNSC dysfunction, geopolitics & vested interests.
@BBCRosAtkins
Ros Atkins
3 years
Almost 2 months since the Myanmar coup, we've juxtaposed what the military has done and what the world's main powers have said. And ask why the world has been unwilling or unable to do more to stop civilians being killed? Produced @briony_sowden
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
After protests that drew far more people even than yesterday, things winding down at Sule in downtown Yangon #Myanmar . This is similar to yesterday, but also to avoid confrontation with trucks of counter-protesters possibly sent to create violence and disorder. Rousing finish:
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Important article. “The Civil Disobedience Movement must define clear goals, set sustainable strategies and ditch any illusions of foreign intervention if it’s to win its tug-of-war with the Tatmadaw.”
@the_ayeminthant
Aye Min Thant
3 years
Mine for @FrontierMM co-written with a local friend (who will not be tagged as he wants to preserve a level of anonymity for safety) on what the #CivilDisobedienceMovement needs to think about in the coming weeks in order to win this struggle.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
A detailed reconstruction of the massacre in North Okkalapa in Yangon on 3 March. Infantry soldiers treating civilians like armed combatants, as they have done across Myanmar’s ethnic areas for decades—but rarely with such a sharp light on their actions.
@Myanmar_Now_Eng
Myanmar Now
3 years
A Yangon township reels from an assault on young lives and human decency Eight protesters were confirmed dead after Wednesday’s crackdowns in North Okkalapa, with dozens more injured and many others still unaccounted for #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Savage assault by Myanmar military on civilian population in Mindat town, using helicopter gunships, artillery. Many locals resisting regime since the coup, with basic hunting rifles—killing soldiers and capturing weapons. Embarrassed, military is deploying overwhelming force.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Myanmar military has only one tool to achieve aims: violence. But it’s found shooting people a really ineffective way to get them to go to work, or return to hospitals. Now it wants to show normalcy by restarting education—but shooting people outside schools has opposite effect.
@IrrawaddyNews
The Irrawaddy (Eng)
3 years
Myanmar Junta Forces Open Fire on Villagers Protesting School Reopening #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar -------------------- Help The Irrawaddy Report the Truth from Myanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
“A military spokesman has accused the ousted National League for Democracy government of running ‘an undisciplined, authoritarian’ state, as security forces gunned down at least eight more protesters across Myanmar and another died of injuries sustained yesterday.”
@FrontierMM
Frontier Myanmar
3 years
A Tatmadaw spokesman rules out negotiating with the NLD and outlines corruption allegations against President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior figures in the ousted government. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
One page of today’s state paper sums up situation facing #Myanmar regime. Orwellian quote from junta chief, followed by reality: civil servant strike paralysing state; banking system on the edge; police hunting down 8888 leaders, reinforcing the time-warp. Oh, but pagodas r open!
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Today is Armed Forces Day in #Myanmar . The KNU 5th Brigade taking an army base and seizing POWs is highly symbolic and likely to enrage the military.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Powerful, devastating account of the massacre in N. Okkalapa on 3 March. “I think the soldiers were afraid of us [the crowd of peaceful demonstrators] ... They got into a truck and drove away. When they were far enough away, they got out of the truck and started shooting at us.”
@FrontierMM
Frontier Myanmar
3 years
As the crowd shouted revolutionary slogans, Ma Thae Su implored her husband to join them one last time. “Get up and shout,” she said, as tears streamed down her face. “Get up and keep shouting, Ko Pho Chit.” #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
A thread about the tragic loss of life in Myanmar’s Phakant jade mines. So far, 172 bodies have been recovered; dozens more are missing. While this is the most deadly single incident, deaths of informal “jade pickers” happen year after year. What will it take to change this? 1/14
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
My latest for @CrisisGroup looking at new community militias resisting the Myanmar coup—in places like Kayah, Chin, Sagaing. Significant new phase in decades-old civil war, but Tatmadaw responding in typical fashion, targeting civilians and blocking aid.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
My latest for @CrisisGroup : Myanmar regime continues brutal violence in its struggle against a determined resistance. Economic collapse, health crisis & surging poverty making life grim for ordinary people. Needs to be a much higher international priority.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
A very powerful intervention from Myanmar’s highly respected Cardinal Bo. With important messages for all parties at this time of crisis, including international community.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Told @guardian “The level of violence & intimidation the military are having to mete out is creating a wellspring of hatred & opposition that’s unifying much of #Myanmar . They’ll be able to deploy the violence necessary to impose their will, but then what?”
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Important thread @Kim_Jolliffe . I also worry with people now understandably on edge, rumours can take on their own dynamic. I worry about innocent (& vulnerable) people being targeted. Truth is, most prisoners not crazed psychos (even murder convicts) and drugs won’t make them so
@Kim_Jolliffe
Kim Jolliffe
4 years
THREAD - HATE THE SYSTEM NOT THE 'THUGS' I interviewed one of the regime's so-called "thugs" in 2011. He was a Kachin teenager who had gotten into a drunken fight in Myitkyina and was then sentenced to prison. #Myanmar #Myanmarcoup #myanmarmilitarycoup #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
NUG has energised Myanmar popular opinion and raised expectations the revolution will now shift into higher gear. Meeting the expectations is next challenge. Either way, military’s determination to hang onto power means future of violence, poverty for many
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
This was part of the column of demonstrators that marched from uptown to downtown Yangon #Myanmar this morning and Noung up with other demonstrators at Sule Pagoda. Taken around 1pm Sunday.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Told Reuters that the rapid fall of the Myanmar currency “will rattle the generals as they are quite obsessed with the kyat rate as a broader barometer of the economy, and therefore a reflection on them.”
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Why a coup? My take: "The military aren’t primarily motivated by financial concerns. They never really have been. This is about pride, politics & personal ambition—only way to explain military actions, which are so against its interests & those of country”
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
With welcome like this, no wonder most Myanmar parents decided against enrolling their children for coming year. At many schools all teachers are on strike, at others there have been bomb and arson attacks, as well as social punishment of teachers and parents ignoring boycott.
@karen_kecd
Karen Education & Culture Department (KECD)
3 years
Government schools are ready to welcome your children back...
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Huge cache of weapons seized by Myanmar military yesterday en route to Mandalay. If other shipments have made it through, resistance forces would have the firepower to make their regular attacks far more deadly. (Photo from today’s GNLM state newspaper)
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Don’t miss this excellent analysis by Su Min Naing of why the #Myanmar military has overreached in staging this coup, and needs to find a way out of the hole it has dug for itself.
@FrontierMM
Frontier Myanmar
4 years
Contributor Su Min Naing argues that the #Myanmar #Tatmadaw underestimated the social forces that are coming together to resist the coup, and it will ruin the country and itself if it fails to negotiate a way out of its own mess. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
It appears that Myanmar military has stepped back from its coup threat and will “follow the constitution”. How to interpret that, and what it means for stability going forward, depends on the behind the scenes details that aren’t clear yet. But any imminent putsch seems unlikely.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
“We have heard a lot about the actions of the @UN in New York and Geneva. And we fully appreciate this concern. But we need your voice and support, not only in New York and Geneva, but here in #Myanmar !”
@HninThetHmuKhin
Hnin Thet Hmu Khin (She/Her)
3 years
We need unarmed observers on the ground.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Told⁩⁩ ⁦ @ForeignPolicy ⁩ “The regime is able to unleash deadly violence & clear streets. But the more violence it uses, the harder it’ll be to govern after. It may now have set in motion an extended war of attrition with its own population.” 1/2
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
My latest for @crisisgroup on the #Myanmar coup. It showed disdain for the will of the people and arrested a decade of liberal reforms. How should the world respond? Sanction those responsible while protecting population and economy from harm.👇
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Fantastic news that Danny Fenster has been released. He should never have been put through such hell, but great he’s now heading home. Really important that focus remains on all the Myanmar journalists detained since the coup, who must also be released.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Again large demonstrations converging at Sule Pagoda / City Hall today. Many more police in evidence, plus water cannon truck.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
“Witnesses said soldiers arrived in trucks at the cemetery around 3 p.m. Friday and held the cemetery staff at gunpoint. Since then the entrance to the cemetery has been blocked.”
@IrrawaddyNews
The Irrawaddy (Eng)
3 years
Security Forces Exhume Body of Woman Slain in Myanmar Protests #WhatIsHappeningInMyanmar #RejectMilitaryCoup #SaveMyanmar -------------------- Help The Irrawaddy Report the Truth from Myanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Don’t miss this brilliant piece from @thantmyintu putting the coup in its historical context and looking at the prospects for post-coup Myanmar breaking free from its past.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Wise words from Chris Gunness, who covered the 1988 demonstrations in Rangoon, and reflects on the similarities and differences of the current moment.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Important from Min Zin: “Public pressure alone can’t lead to a genuine political transition. Without a sound strategy for achieving concrete goals, we’ll always end up, sooner or later, on receiving end of repression and under some form of military rule.”
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Boycotting Myanmar’s garment industry will cause a lot of pain to those workers who still have jobs, but negligible pain to the regime. A very unfortunate and counterproductive move that will disproportionately impact young women from poor families.
@IndustriALL_GU
IndustriALL
3 years
IndustriALL supports campaign for comprehensive economic sanctions against Myanmar junta | IndustriALL #Workers4Myanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
“Life’s become too terrifying to stay in Yangon...soldiers are pulling people from their homes & forcing them to clear roads at gunpoint.” Aside from brutality, reflects utter incompetence of military at managing anything that doesn’t respond well to brute force. Like an economy.
@FrontierMM
Frontier Myanmar
3 years
One said he feared being shot by security forces, who are forcing people to clear barricades at gunpoint. "We are like house rats searching for something to eat in another person's kitchen," said another, describing his terror while out buying milk.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
This is what parts of #Myanmar commercial capital Yangon now look like
@Shoon_Naing
Shoon Naing
3 years
Yangon on March 16 #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
⁦Important from @thinink ⁩ “Around world, some are rejoicing at Suu Kyi’s detention because of her treatment of Rohingya. But Myanmar’s ... a country of 51 million people, many hard-working & decent, who deserve to live without constant fear of army.”
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
2 years
An outrageous act. And one that will create political shockwaves, now and for a long time to come.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Barricades are getting more and more serious.
@ElevenMyanmar
Eleven Myanmar
3 years
Yangon - 40th day of protests on March 13 Ongoing protests in Hlaing and Kamayut Townships on March 13. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Bad idea. This is a call for return to failed sanctions of past—the very opposite of targeted sanctions that are being called for. To be clear, bankrupting the Myanmar state is massively counterproductive and unachievable. Military won’t suffer. Health, education, services would.
@JusticeMyanmar
Justice For Myanmar
4 years
Press release📣Urgent action needed to stop oil & gas majors bankrolling the Myanmar military regime. See our web feature on role of @Total @Chevron @Petronas PTTEP & #POSCO . We call on all biz to cut ties w/ #Myanmar military and for targeted sanctions 👉
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
After the Myanmar coup, there have been dire warnings that millions will sink into dire poverty. This is the human face of that catastrophe 👇
@FrontierMM
Frontier Myanmar
3 years
“We were not starving during the [COVID-19] pandemic,” a migrant living in one of Yangon's informal settlements told Frontier, reflecting on the loss of jobs she's seen since the Feb. 1 military coup. “Now we are starving.” #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Important perspective from @kyawhsanhlaing1 on the need for #Myanmar to bridge longstanding ethnic divides. Very difficult, but the current moment represents a rare opportunity.
@FrontierMM
Frontier Myanmar
4 years
The growing democracy movement needs to look beyond Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD, and listen closely to ethnic voices, writes @kyawhsanhlaing1 #WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Why did the generals seize power in Myanmar? With protests gathering steam, what does the future hold? How should outside actors respond?  My thoughts on @CrisisGroup Hold Your Fire! podcast. Listen here👇
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Military have decidedly mixed feelings about Wirathu. Fundamentally, he’s a populist more than idealogue (very different to Sitagu, who’s neither). Means generals can’t control Wirathu; impossible to be populist and pro-military at the same time these days
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Huge demonstrations of civil servants and others today in Naypyidaw, the supposedly “protest proof” capital of #Myanmar . Largest demonstrations so far across the country, in response to calls for a general strike today.
@Myanmar_Now_Eng
Myanmar Now
4 years
People are flocking to the streets in Naypyidaw to join the general strike against the military coup. via @FacebookWatch
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
By trying to force the banks to reopen without proper planning or the liquidity to withstand a bank run, the regime may deepen the very banking and financial crisis it’s desperate to avoid.
@RobinsonBKK
Gwen Robinson
3 years
Exclusive: Inside views on Myanmar’s ‘other crisis’ & push by #Myanmarjunta to target NGOs & threaten banks with forced transfer of deposit accounts,
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Poll cancellations in Rakhine State have disenfranchised 3/4 voters there. In protest, people sharing “can’t vote” selfies of their fingers dipped in lime. (Voters in Myanmar must dip a finger in indelible purple ink to prevent repeat voting, and often share “just voted” pics.)
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
2+3+1+8+4 = 9
@Reuters
Reuters
3 years
Myanmar's junta released 23,184 prisoners from jails across the country under a New Year amnesty, a Prisons Department spokesman said
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
5 years
Stunning. Reuters has named the main suspected kingpin behind Myanmar’s huge crystal meth production. A Canadian born in China, he’s thought to run the most significant drug cartel in the world today, “The Company”, with revenues of US$17 billion per year.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Key question is the reason for this “technical fault”: regime decision, sabotage, or lack of maintenance due to the current turmoil?
@FrontierMM
Frontier Myanmar
3 years
1/ Power has gone out across large sections of #Myanmar . Electricity is out in #Yangon and #Mandalay , and social media reports indicate some areas of Sagaing Region, Shan State and Kayin State are also affected, suggesting a nationwide outage. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Although the details remain to be fleshed out, this seems like a well calibrated set of measures by the US. Also a strong signal that President Biden himself announced them. They send a clear message to the Tatmadaw while limiting harm to the people. 1/3
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Brilliant piece from @FrontierMM on the Myanmar regime’s banking problems: “Banking crises are often sparked by concern about the financial health of banks. The current problems, though, stem from a political crisis that has sapped confidence in the future of the entire country”
@FrontierMM
Frontier Myanmar
3 years
The National Unity Government has announced its own anti-junta armed force as a precursor to a “federal union army”.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Asia’s largest ever drug bust, in Laos near the Shan State border. An astonishing 55 million yaba tablets and 1.5 tonnes of crystal meth. Covid-19 and military coup have both devastated the Myanmar economy, but illicit sectors incl drug production thriving
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
The first day after the coup in Myanmar, and green is once again the predominant colour in the state newspaper.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
Policymakers may be tempted by idea of economic & trade sanctions in response to Myanmar coup. They should avoid doing so - untargeted sanctions hit population not the generals. They didn’t work before and won’t now. My comments to @SiobhanRobbins @SkyNews
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Latest @CrisisGroup report on Myanmar military attempts to control online battlefield. With limited technical skills it was losing the battle & increasingly resorted to blunt tools such as internet shutdowns—but this has just given it a new set of problems
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
The fire service and Myanmar Red Cross have developed a strong public service ethos and attracted very dedicated workers and volunteers, and have strong community support. Won’t be easily co-opted or bullied by the regime. Same can be said for parts (not all) of police force. 2/2
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
This is a really interesting and useful deep dive into the technology aspects of the Myanmar uprising - the capacity of the military to control access and surveil protesters online, and the limits and costs of doing that.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
More from Sule Pagoda in downtown Yangon now
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Richard Horsey
3 years
Protesters in #Myanmar deploy fireworks and Molotov cocktails from behind impromptu barricades to slow advance of security forces.
@soezeya
soe zeya tun
3 years
Myanmar frontline protesters fight against military crackdown #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
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Richard Horsey
3 years
The coup was a huge strategic miscalculation by Min Aung Hlaing. Unleashing combat troops to carry out deadly violence and terrorise the urban population may be another. If the regime succeed in eventually asserting their authority, it will be a Pyrrhic victory. 2/2
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Myanmar’s ambassador to the UK says he takes instructions from State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi
@DominicRaab
Dominic Raab
3 years
Earlier today I spoke to Myanmar Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn. I praised his courage and patriotism in standing up for what is right. We join his call for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, and for a return to democratic rule
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Richard Horsey
4 years
A common response to this point is “do you have a better idea?” - as if it’s ok to have a terrible policy because there aren’t many good options. I do have a better idea: DON’T impose broad economic sanctions or sector-wide measures. That’s a much, much better option.
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Richard Horsey
2 years
Great piece by @hodgeamanda on the Myanmar regime’s cynical election plans. As I said to her, unlike previous coups “this regime didn’t come in to fix something but to break something that the majority of Myanmar people thought was going really well”.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Strongest statement yet from the KNU, condemning violence by #Myanmar security forces and expressing solidarity with demonstrators. KNU is one of the oldest and politically most influential ethnic armies in the country.
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
Myanmar MoFA statement on non-visit of ASEAN Special Envoy. Regime playbook hasn’t changed in 30 years: Brinkmanship “Build trust on first visit” Faux puzzlement “We compromise on your request to drop the culture show from the program. But you don’t compromise on meeting ASSK”
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
4 years
To be honest, a pretty unremarkable statement of Myanmar conservatism. Problem is, fewer and fewer people identify with this, or accept the military as arbiter. It pretends the last 10 years just didn’t happen—but they did, and their impact very visible in streets nationwide.
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Richard Horsey
3 years
This is critical point. As things stand, Total saying it will walk away from its stake, which will be distributed to Chevron and MOGE. Chevron talking about an “orderly exit”. Means likely cash windfall for the regime unless ways are found to prevent that, which must be priority.
@burmacampaignuk
Burma Campaign UK
3 years
Burma Campaign UK welcomes the decision of Chevron to pull out of Burma. They must commit that they will not sell to another operator or facilitate a handover to a new operator.
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Richard Horsey
4 years
“protest organisers have shown huge courage and determination. ...to succeed they’ll need to craft a progressive agenda across ethnic lines, centred on inequality and development as well as peace and justice... They’ll need to reshape society as well as restructure the state.”
@thantmyintu
Thant Myint-U
4 years
My piece on Myanmar in today's @FT
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Richard Horsey
4 years
This is a major development. Two Myanmar army deserters in the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Could be the first people tried for crimes against the Rohingya, and important witnesses in the ICC’s broader investigation.
@cape_diamond
Cape Diamond
4 years
Two men believed to be deserters from #Myanmar 's army are in the custody of @IntlCrimCourt at The Hague after reporting their participation, under military orders, in the 2017 campaign of killing and rape of countless #Rohingya civilians. @NahlahAyed
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Richard Horsey
4 years
In the early 1990s I spent 18 months in the jungles of SE Myanmar teaching English to the Student Army (ABSDF). I haven’t written or spoken much about these experiences. There are Myanmar people now deeply involved in politics and peace who were in the jungle at that time... 1/5
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
7 years
Just out, @CrisisGroup report on Rohingya crisis: Warns there are many ways the situation can get worse from here, whereas the path out of the crisis is a very narrow one. Includes previously unreported details on period leading up to ARSA’s August attacks
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
3 years
“A new political paradigm may be emerging in Myanmar…The youth-led resistance has bridged ethnic divides in a way that appears genuinely new and important.” My thoughts on #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar for @Diplomat_APAC @sstrangio
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@rshorsey
Richard Horsey
1 year
In my latest report for @CrisisGroup , I look at the booming criminal economy along the stretch of the Mekong that passes through the Golden Triangle, and at what action is needed to curtail it. This is an urgent and difficult problem. 1/6
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Richard Horsey
3 years
Told AFP: The prisoner amnesty was "a tactical response by the regime to a pretty hostile domestic and international environment. These kinds of cynical moves may have worked 20 years ago... but it will do nothing to improve the standing of this regime."
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