General Aung San and Aung San Suu Kyi: The Legacy of Burmanization and the Need for True Ethnic Independence in Burma (Myanmar)

Both General Aung San and Aung San Suu Kyi shaped Burma (Myanmar)’s modern history, but their legacies are deeply tied to Burmanization, ethnic suppression, and military rule. General Aung San, though seen as the father of Burma’s independence, pushed for a centralized Bamar-dominated state, leading to 75 years of war. His daughter, Aung San Suu Kyi, instead of reversing these policies, upheld them, choosing power over justice.

The only path to peace in Burma (Myanmar) is full independence for each ethnic group, not federalism, but true sovereignty, where each ethnic nation governs itself without Bamar dominance.

General Aung San: The Military Leader Who Built a Burmese State on Ethnic Suppression

1. Anti-Colonial Fighter Who Paved the Way for Dictatorship

• 1915 – Born in British Burma.

• 1939 – Founded the Burma Independence Army (BIA), initially backed by Japan.

• 1942 – Led the fight to expel the British, later turning against Japan.

• 1947 – Signed the Panglong Agreement, promising unity but excluding key ethnic groups like Karen and Rohingya.

2. Burmanization: Ethnic Cleansing Disguised as Unity

• Burmanization = Making Burma (Myanmar) a Bamar-Buddhist Nation

  • Forced Burmese language over ethnic languages.

  • Used military force to suppress Karen, Kachin, Shan, Mon, and Rohingya.

  • Discriminated against non-Buddhists, erasing diverse religious groups.

• His assassination in 1947 allowed the military to weaponize Burmanization, leading to dictatorship.

Aung San Suu Kyi: The Political Heir Who Upheld Burmanization

1. From Democracy Icon to Nationalist Ruler

• 1988 – Led democracy protests against the military.

• 1991 – Won the Nobel Peace Prize.

• 2015 – Became Burma (Myanmar)’s de facto leader but refused to challenge military power.

2. Defending Genocide Instead of Democracy

• Ignored the Rohingya Genocide (2017) and defended the military at the ICJ.

• Rejected ethnic autonomy, keeping her father’s centralized vision alive.

• Failed to prevent the 2021 coup, showing that playing both sides was a losing strategy.

Breaking Free from the Cycle: Full Independence for Each Ethnic Nation

Why Federalism is NOT the Answer

• Federalism keeps Burma (Myanmar) intact under a Bamar-dominated system.

• The Tatmadaw (military) would still hold power over minority regions.

• Ethnic groups have been fighting for independence, not shared rule under Burma (Myanmar).

The Real Solution: Ethnic Sovereignty & Shared Regional Power

✅ Each ethnic group should have full independence:

• Karen Nation should be its own country.

• Shan Nation should govern itself, free from Burma (Myanmar)’s rule.

• Kachin, Mon, Chin, and Rakhine, should have full sovereignty.

• Burma (Bamar heartland) should remain separate from these nations.

✅ Mutual Agreements Between Independent States:

• Instead of federalism, each nation should form alliances based on trade, security, and diplomacy—but remain independent.

• A council of sovereign nations could negotiate shared resources without control from Bamar elites.

✅ Expelling the Tatmadaw from Ethnic Territories:

• The military must withdraw from all ethnic lands and stop enforcing Burmanization.

• Ethnic self-defense forces should replace the Tatmadaw in non-Bamar regions.

✅ Rewriting Burma (Myanmar)’s Borders for Peace:

• Burma (Myanmar) is a forced colonial construct that has never truly been unified.

• Redrawing borders to reflect historical ethnic nations will prevent future wars.

✅ International Recognition of Independent Ethnic States:

• The global community must recognize ethnic sovereignty instead of forcing a failed Burmese identity.

• The UN, ASEAN, and global powers must negotiate pathways for independence.

Conclusion: The End of Burmanization & a New Future

• General Aung San created a system of ethnic suppression.

• Aung San Suu Kyi failed to break that system, choosing nationalism over democracy.

• The only real solution is breaking Burma (Myanmar) apart into independent ethnic nations.

No more false promises of unity. No more military rule. No more federalism.

True freedom for Karen, Shan, Kachin, Mon, Chin, Rakhine, and Rohingya through full sovereignty is the only path to peace.