A Voice From Kachin State on Myanmar’s Stumbling Democracy

The chief of the newly formed Kachin State People’s Party, Dr. Manam Tu Ja, says next year’s election could bring sweeping federal reforms and a chance of real peace.

Rev. Hkalam Samson of the Kachin Baptist Convention says leaders talk about peace but they benefit too much from war.

The army arrests local officials who are contacted by EAOs demanding money, but does not protect them, brother of detained village head in Myanmar’s Shan State says.

The Irrawaddy talks to the Mekong Institute’s Dwight Jason Ronan, Myanmar country coordinator, about food safety at home and in neighboring countries.

More than 300 Shan IDPs that fled civil wars at home in 2002 have little hope that Aung San Suu Kyi’s government can bring peace or repatriation.

U San Kyaw Hla says the state legislature is doing what it can to end rights abuses and inequality; he calls for peace through dialogue and an end to the internet shutdown.

With changes in government and ceasefire agreements signed since 2012, the Mae Tao Clinic on the Thai-Myanmar border continues operating on less and less aid.