Is Myanmar Ready for Genuine Political Dialogue?

The National League for Democracy (NLD) recently stated that Myanmar’s political crisis cannot be resolved without inclusive dialogue that involves Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The position is neither new nor surprising. Since its landslide victory in the 1990 general election, the NLD has consistently upheld dialogue as its core political approach.

At its heart, this reflects a commitment to achieving democratic transition without bloodshed. Yet in reality Myanmar has never in its modern history experienced genuine political dialogue.

Any serious dialogue would have to begin with the question of transitional justice. There can be no sustainable political solution without guarantees of justice for those who have lost their lives, homes, and livelihoods. Ignoring this principle risks erasing the suffering of countless victims. While some argue that raising accountability issues would obstruct dialogue, that view ultimately disregards the human cost of injustice.