Following a military coup in Myanmar that saw the country’s foremost leaders detained and placed on house arrest, Australia’s Department of Defence is strongly considering launching an official review of its training and education programs with the Myanmar military. In fact, Australia has spent close to $1.5 million on these exercises over the last five years and is set to spend another $361,000 this year.
The training involves English lessons and participation in the Pirap Jabiru multilateral military exercises with 24 countries across the Indo-Pacific.
A spokesperson for the Defence Ministry said, “This is a rapidly evolving situation and it is important that we take time to consider the circumstances before any decisions are taken.” In fact, deliberations over whether to suspend its military engagements with Myanmar have been ongoing for a few years now, but have yielded no change.
In October 2018, Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty told the Senate: “The maintenance of a very limited defence cooperation engagement with Myanmar serves Australia’s interests and would potentially help with the professionalism of the armed forces in Myanmar.”
On Monday, the Myanmar military, also known as the Tatmadaw, took control of the government for one year and detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, alongside several members of parliament (MPs) from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) and student leaders. The Tatmadaw alleges electoral fraud in the recently conducted election in November, when the NLD secured a landslide victory with 83% of the votes. Alongside the detentions, internet and TV networks were also shut down.
Following these events, the Australian government released a statement saying that it is “deeply concerned” and that it is a “long-standing supporter of Myanmar and its democratic transition”. Hence, it “call[ed] on the military to respect the rule of law, to resolve disputes through lawful mechanisms and to release immediately all civilian leaders and others who have been detained unlawfully.” The statement went on to say: “We strongly support the peaceful reconvening of the National Assembly, consistent with the results of the November 2020 general election.”
Simultaneously, Minister (PM) Scott Morrison held a phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, wherein the pair discussed the recent developments in Myanmar.
At this stage, Australia has still not followed in the footsteps of the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), France, and Canada in suspending ties with the Tatmadaw over its ““disproportionate use of force” that “strongly indicates a deliberate action to expel a minority”.
US President Joe Biden has already threatened to impose sanctions due to this “direct assault on the country’s transition to democracy and the rule of law”. Prior to Monday’s events, Australia had sanctions in place against six members of the Tatmadaw.
Against this backdrop, the opposition Labor party has called on the Australian government to “consider additional targeted sanctions”. Labor’s foreign affairs spokesperson Penny Wong said, “The Australian government must stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and ensure the bilateral relationship won’t return to business as usual until democracy is restored and political prisoners are released.” She added, “Following yesterday’s events, the government needs to explain whether this [military] cooperation is consistent with Australia’s strategic interests, review other areas of bilateral cooperation and consider additional targeted sanctions as appropriate.”
It appears that the Australian government is already considering such punitive measures. Combined by the ensuing punitive measures by other countries around the world, it is hoped that this will weaken the resolve of the Myanmar military.
Australia Considers Scrapping Defence Partnership With Myanmar Military Following Coup
Deliberations over whether to suspend military engagements with Myanmar have been ongoing for a few years now, but have yielded no change. The coup this week may change Australia’s position.
February 3, 2021
IMAGE SOURCE: ANN WANG / REUTERSOn Monday, the Myanmar military took control of the government for one year and detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.