Myanmar in 2019: Deepening international pariah status and backsliding peace process at home

Abstract

Myanmar's international pariah status has deepened with the filing of three separate international lawsuits against the country in November 2019 regarding atrocities against the Rohingya people. Economic forecasts indicate that the economy is on the right track but local business progress remains sluggish. The peace process has stalled, and armed conflict continues in some major cities, with increasing numbers displaced. The government's focus on the Rohingya crisis and amending the constitution are likely aimed to rally domestic support for the election scheduled for 2020.