Federalism: Yes, but which kind and how to reach a compromise?

Igor Blazevic

CHANGING DYNAMICS AND SHIFTING POWER

The initial mass protests and civic uprising wave of the Spring Revolution, along with the democratic elections prior to the military coup, led to the formation of the National Unity Government (NUG), the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) as the leading bodies of the Spring Revolution.

However, as external actors have not recognized the NUG as the official government of Myanmar – which is the failure of the external actors, not the NUG; there has been nothing the NUG could have done better to get recognition – and with the beginning and advancement of the guerilla, armed, initially self-defending and later also liberation struggle, with more and more territories being liberated—especially in ethnic border regions—there has been a significant shift in sources of power and legitimacy.

This change must be understood, acknowledged, and embraced.