The People’s Defence Force has suffered a major symbolic setback by losing control of the first town it seized – accusing the Myanmar military of destroying Kawlin in order to reclaim it – but its troops vow to fight on.
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The People’s Defence Force has suffered a major symbolic setback by losing control of the first town it seized – accusing the Myanmar military of destroying Kawlin in order to reclaim it – but its troops vow to fight on.
Chin human rights activist Cheery Zahau, 34, was born in Sagaing Region but spent most of her early life at Falam in the Chin Hills near the border with India. In 1999 she crossed the border and lived in India until 2009 when she moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand. She returned to Myanmar in 2012 and last year sought election to the Pyithu Hluttaw for the Chin Progressive Party, losing to a candidate from the National League for Democracy. Cheery Zahau spoke to Frontier about the Chin people’s hopes under an NLD government and the lessons she learned during the election campaign.

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Myanmar enters 2021 with more friends than foes
The early delivery of vaccines is one of the many boons of the country’s geopolitics, but to really take advantage, Myanmar must bury the legacy of its isolationist past.
Will the Kayin BGF go quietly?
The Kayin State Border Guard Force has come under intense pressure from the Tatmadaw over its extensive, controversial business interests and there’s concern the ultimatum could trigger fresh hostilities in one of the country’s most war-torn areas.