To have only just heard of Myanmar?

[staceybeaker]

Watching the news about the coup there and I thought it must be quite a small country but now I've looked it up it's really not. Obviously I am embarrassed about my own lack of geography knowledge. Has everyone else heard of it or known much about this country before?

@BusterGonad - Mingalabar. Would love to be back there. Please keep us updated. Cezu ba.

BusterGonad Thank you.
I'm sure she's fine but wondered what was going on

It's not much but it's a start - this link takes about thirty seconds and emails Dominic Raab directly:

https://action.burmacampaign.org.uk/no-business-burma%E2%80%99s-military?refsid=71445&utmsource=fbbshare&utmcampaign=%5B275%5D&utmmmedium=share&fbclid=IwAR0kBfIvM5t5NEX6S11HWtK41ywI8VHE7GLd0Emvy8XyUdN_mtr2m7smlFk

Done.
Thank you.

A couple of years ago my nephew decided to learn the names of every country in the world, and would list them regularly as a party trick.

The ones that were new to me were:

Myanmar/Burma
eSwatini/Swaziland
Laos (not sure whether it was renamed, or I had just missed it previously)
Burundi
Bhutan
South Sudan (split from Sudan a few years ago)
Czechia (used to be the Czech Republic, previously part of Czechoslovakia)
North Macedonia (formerly Macedonia)
Timor Leste (I think previously known as East Timor?)
Mauritania
French Guyana (part of France that's in South America)
Eritrea (I think used to be part of Ethiopia)
Liberia (which I think has existed for ages, but I'd always mixed it up with Libya)
Vanuatu, Nauru and Palau - all in Oceania

Then there are the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (I think)... separate countries.

Ukraine and Gambia no longer have "The" in front of their names.

And there's a place called something like "Western Sahara" which isn't yet fully recognised as a country, but might be soon.

Have just seen this on Facebook:

PLEASE SUPPORT:

Hundreds of thousands will again risk their safety to take to Myanmar's streets today, in a country with a tragic history of brutal military repression. At the same time, potentially millions are participating in a nationwide strike today.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1. Donate!
   
   www.indiegogo.com/projects/i-do-nation-phase-iii#/
   Doctors, teachers and other public servants are risking their livelihoods to participate in a non-violent civil disobedience campaign. I believe this campaign has the potential to bring the military government to a standstill. But it will only last as long as those participating have food on the table. Teachers in Myanmar earn $10 a day, and those participating will soon lose even this. The link above is with organisations I know and trust, who have experience delivering cash and food funding to those who need it most.

2. Observe!
   www.facebook.com/myanmarnownews
   As protests build today and tomorrow it is likely the internet will again be switched off. I fear that at some point the strength of protests will cross a red line for the military and as in 2007 and 1988 they will start shooting. It's vital international observers follow live feeds to maintain accountability against this. Myanmar Now have (somehow!) continued to stream live despite the internet shutdowns.

Thank you. I'm looking into this, and seeing my friend in Yangon live now on FB in the midst of a protest.
Brave people.

Martial Law imposed, this is where they push towards confrontation. I fear the worst in the next few days.

'Myanmar is affected by unlawful threats and disturbances that can harm democracy'
How is a military coup 'democracy'?
Shocking

@BusterGonad thanks for posting. The scenes around Hledan were incredible.

i had to google

Thank you for the updates Buster. I'm reading what i can. My friend in Yangon has posted some moving pics of thousands of protestors.

My husband was due to travel there today because his work is heading there. They have completely banned UK passport holders, even if you haven't lived in the uk for years so unfortunately he is going to lose his job.

They are allowing USA in still though so it appears covid is being used as a excuse and its political reasons for banning uk. I think they still hold a lot of hatred against the British. So I've been told anyway.

YABU

@Indoctro that's not the case with the people.

They have a temple where the cats do tricks

The protests are ongoing, with all sorts of good humour and creativity.

Police and military are so far showing restraint for the most part although there are sinister happenings with midnight raids and detentions.

Here are some examples of protest activity (includes eye candy):

www.facebook.com/1308214262/posts/10225887603439240/?d=n

Awesome dance:

Minglabar the FB content is restricted but loved the youtube dance and have just tweeted it.

Have been in touch with former colleagues just now.

Many of the neighbourhoods are defying curfews and the men are sitting on the street questioning strangers coming in as plain clothed military have been running snatch squads the last few nights taking protestors from their beds.

Rumours are flying around (a big part of Myanmar life) that the 23,000 released prisoners have been given orders to attack protestors and burn their houses in return for clemency. I have seen footage of friends and colleagues (women) leading protests and delivering food to those that have been cut off from wages.

Community and ethnic differences are being put aside. It's typical Myanmar style to help the disadvantaged and I couldn't be prouder of them. I'm simultaneously sick with worry and wishing I could be there to stand with them.

Thank you so much for the update. It sounds so scary, difficult and on a knife edge at the moment.
What you say about the prisoners is absolutely shocking.