ABSTRACT
Myanmar, known as Burma until 1989, gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1948 and was plagued with civil war immediately thereafter. A situation of internal strife has continued uninterruptedly, with different insurgent groups rising up against the government and sometimes clashing among themselves. Beginning in 1989, ceasefires were established between the government and some of the insurgent groups, but these agreements never entailed any real conflict resolution nor any demobilisation. Communal violence can be found at the base of several insurgencies, and the most recent example can be found in Rakhine state, where the long-lasting oppression against the Rohingya has led to the creation the ARSA. The chapter focuses on insurgencies, as these are at the centre of the peace process in Myanmar. The Pangsang meeting produced a call to China to act as a mediator and as a provider of local development through the 'One Belt One Road' initiative.
