Rethinking Myanmar’s Union from the periphery
Myanmar's ongoing civil war has shifted the political landscape, with ethnic armed groups in the periphery establishing their own governance, taxation, and judicial systems. The article argues that any future peace settlement must account for this decentralized reality.
Why it matters
Understanding the shift in power from the central government to regional ethnic groups is critical for analyzing the potential for long-term stability and federalism in Myanmar.
This photo taken on 19 May 2026 shows members of the Mandalay People's Defence Forces (MDY-PDF) at a secret training camp in an undisclosed location in Myanmar's Sagaing Region (AFP via Getty Images)
Armed groups already govern, tax and judge in some regions; a settlement must share that power while protecting minorities’ rights.
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Topics Research Interactives The Interpreter Events People Support us Support us Yuyun Wahyuningrum 1 October 2026 4 min read | Rethinking Myanmar’s Union from the periphery Rethinking Myanmar’s Union from the periphery
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