Myanmar: Between political Crisis, organised crime, and environmental devastation

Myanmar: Between political Crisis, organised crime, and environmental devastation | Photo: Saw Wunna

Myanmar is experiencing one of the most complex crises in its recent history, marked by the 2021 military coup, a growing civil war, organised crime networks, and the illegal exploitation of its natural resources. The situation has led to a political, economic, and environmental collapse with repercussions extending across Southeast Asia.

On 1 February 2021, Myanmar’s military, known as the Tatmadaw, seized power, citing fraud in the 2020 general elections, in which the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, had secured a landslide victory. Consequently, the civilian government was dissolved, political leaders were arrested, and a military regime was installed, brutally suppressing opposition.

Since the coup, resistance has intensified. Groups such as the People’s Defence Forces (PDF), allied with ethnic armed organisations, have engaged in a de facto civil war against the military regime. This insurgency has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, with over two million internally displaced persons and thousands of civilian casualties. The international community, led by the UN, the EU, and the United States, has imposed sanctions on the regime, yet actors like China and Russia continue to maintain ties with the junta.

Organised crime and illicit activities

The conflict has exacerbated the influence of organised crime in Myanmar, where mafia networks, armed groups, and the military itself profit from illicit activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and resource exploitation.

Drug trafficking

Myanmar is one of the world’s largest producers of heroin and methamphetamines, with the Golden Triangle (a border region with Thailand and Laos) serving as the epicentre of production and trafficking. Ethnic militias and armed groups control the trade, and there is evidence that the Tatmadaw is complicit, allowing drug laboratories to operate in exchange for financial gain.

Illegal jade and gemstone trade

Myanmar is the world’s leading supplier of jade, a highly prized gemstone in China. The industry is dominated by criminal networks linked to the government and ethnic armed groups. It is estimated that most jade extraction occurs illegally, with smuggling routes funnelling vast sums of money through Myanmar’s border with China.

Human trafficking and modern slavery

Thousands of individuals, particularly women from ethnic minorities such as the Rohingya, have fallen victim to trafficking, often being sent to China and Thailand for forced labour, sexual exploitation, or coerced marriages. Additionally, Chinese criminal syndicates have established fraudulent call centre operations in Myanmar’s Shan state, exploiting trafficked individuals for financial scams.

Deforestation and the illegal teak trade

One of the most lucrative sectors for criminal networks in Myanmar is the illegal logging of teak wood, a highly sought-after resource in international markets due to its durability and resilience.

Causes and perpetrators

·       The military regime has facilitated deforestation as a revenue source, particularly after facing international sanctions.

·       Ethnic armed groups also finance their operations through the illegal timber trade.

·       Foreign companies, particularly from China and the EU, have been implicated in purchasing Myanmar’s teak through intermediaries, despite existing trade restrictions.

Environmental impact

Myanmar has lost over 25% of its forest cover in recent decades. Deforestation has accelerated biodiversity loss, threatening endangered species such as tigers and Asian elephants. Moreover, forest destruction has increased the risk of landslides and flooding, disproportionately affecting rural and vulnerable communities.

Earthquake and social vulnerability

Amid this multifaceted crisis, Myanmar was recently struck by a powerful earthquake, severely impacting rural areas and communities already displaced by conflict. This natural disaster has exposed the extreme precariousness of living conditions for millions of Burmese citizens, many of whom lack access to adequate housing, healthcare, or clean water.

The emergency response has been fragmented and inadequate. The military junta has prioritised relief efforts in strategically significant areas, leaving many opposition-controlled or conflict-affected regions without humanitarian assistance. Local and international organisations have reported that government-imposed restrictions are hindering aid efforts, exacerbating the suffering of the most vulnerable populations.

Humanitarian organisations, such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), have been actively working on the ground, despite facing severe limitations imposed by the regime.

Myanmar remains trapped in a vicious cycle of political crisis, violence, organised crime, and environmental destruction. As the military clings to power, armed resistance continues to grow, and criminal enterprises exploit the turmoil for profit. The international community faces a complex challenge: exerting pressure for a peaceful resolution without exacerbating the already catastrophic humanitarian and environmental crises afflicting the country and the wider Southeast Asian region.