The Military junta in Myanmar decided on January 31, 2025 to lengthen the state of emergency by six months as the country reached its fourth year of continuing civil war following the coup of 2021. The military council recently approved this extension unanimously while postponing democratic elections until late 2025 which Western governments along with pro-democracy advocates label as illegitimate.
A ten-year streak of democratic development reached its end on February 1, 2021 through a military coup which initiated broad-based opposition and multiple factions fighting each other. The Traditional military forces under the leadership of Min Aung Hlaing continue to battle pro-democracy factions and ethnic armed groups which resulted in severe military setbacks over the past year. The junta continues to face an unstable political situation despite its assertions about needing stability before ending the state of emergency.
The conflict has caused an overwhelming number of casualties. Monitoring groups report that more than 6000 civilians lost their lives while 20000 individuals were detained together with 3.5 million people who became displaced. According to the United Nations projections 19.9 million Myanmar citizens will need humanitarian support during 2025 since they make up more than a third of the population. An investigative body represented by the UN proved that international criminal acts were executed since the coup happened. 
ASEAN foreign ministers made calls for a ceasefire yet their diplomatic attempts to solve the matter remain unsuccessful. The ongoing nightmare in Myanmar weakens prospects for peace and democracy thus trapping millions in a worsening situation.
