History of Burma’s Transition 1988-2009
1988 Uprising - 1988 military coup
| Mid-March to June 1988 |
Protest | Demonstrations break out at the Rangoon Institute of Technology over the country deteriorating economic situation. Protests calling for an end to military rule break out in other universities and secondary schools which become increasingly more violent. |
| 23 July 1988 | Leadership change | Ne Win announces his resignation at an extraordinary congress session after feeling partly responsible for the ‘distressing incidents of March and June’. He also calls for a referendum to gauge the public’s view on the political system and the possibility of returning to a multiparty system. However the party congress votes against a referendum and elect BSPP Sein Lwin to top party post. |
| 8 August 1988 | Protest | Huge demonstrations erupt around Burma in response to calls for a nationwide demonstration which are met with fire from troops. |
| 11 August 1988 | Leadership change | Sein Lwin resigns from all his positions as president, party leader and Pyithu Hluttaw Member. |
| 19 August 1988 | Leadership change | Dr. Maung Maung, one of the highest party stalwarts with a civilian background is selected to become chairman at the second emergency Central Committee meeting and Pyithu Hluttaw session. He forms an 11-man public opinion inquiry commission as a step towards the earlier rejected referendum which is quickly terminated after protests continue. The relative political liberalisation and lifting of martial law under Maung Maung allowed leading dissenters Aung Gyi, Tin Oo and Aung San Suu Kyi to speak at huge rallies around the country; this also gave rise to lawlessness such as widespread looting, destruction of state structures and the public execution of policemen and suspected government agents by mobs. |
| 24 August 1988 | Government announcement | Maung Maung announces a referendum will be held to appease protestors at a third emergency session, however this was only met with calls for the BSPP to step down, the installation of an interim government and a revival of a full democracy. |
| 10-11 September 1988 | Government announcement | The third emergency session is held 2 days ahead of schedule and the referendum is cancelled as a response to the ongoing protests. A decision to hold general elections under a multiparty system instead is ratified and five-member election commission is formed. |
| 18 September 1988 | Regime Change | The military stages a coup after an attack on the Defence and Trade ministries by armed protestors (which some alleged were staged) and reinforces martial law. The military forms the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), which promises to conduct multiparty elections in the future. The SLORC’s four “duties” under SLORC Declaration No.1/88 include the “holding of multiparty General Election.” SLORC suspends the 1974 constitution. The following day the army shoots down protestors with surprising brutality. The total number of people killed is unknown but expected to be in the thousands. |
Run up to Elections - 1990 post-election confrontation
| 24 September 1988 | Opposition | Pro-democracy leaders form the National League for Democracy (NLD) with Aung San Suu Kyi as general secretary after the SLORC puts in place a party registration procedure. By the end of the year there are 174 registered political parties. |
| 31 May 1989 | Government Announcement | General Saw Maung announces SLORC Law No.14/89 the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law, which established the Multi-Party Democracy General Election Commission. |
| 30 June 1989 | Government Announcement | Multi-Party Democracy General Election Commission enacts the election rules and declared on 7 November that elections for a constitutional assembly will be held on May 27 1990. Nominations to be filed between 28 December 1989 and 3 January 1990. 2392 candidates were ultimately nominated to compete for 491 seats in the new parliament. |
| 20 July 1989 | Opposition | Aung San Suu Kyi placed under house arrest for endangering the state. Several other NLD leaders arrested prior to the 19 July martyr’s day celebration when ASSK planned to memorialise her father’s assassination. |
| 16 January 1990 | Opposition | The SLORC's Election Commission rules Aung San Suu Kyi ineligible for elections due in May |
| 12 April 1990 | Government Announcement | Khin Nyunt announces that the military will remain in office after the elections until a new constitution was drafted and a strong government was formed. |
| 27 May 1990 | Election | A general election is held in Burma with unexpectedly few government restrictions. The opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) wins 392 out of 485 parliamentary seats (80 percent of seats, with approximately 60% of the popular vote). The second-largest-winning party is the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) which wins 23 seats. The military-backed party, the National Unity Party (NUP), wins just 10 seats. |
| 19 June 1990 | Government Announcement | SLORC chief Saw Maung rules out a quick transfer of power, saying a new constitution is needed first |
| 21 June 1990 | Political Dialogue | In the first attempt for talks, NLD vice-chairman Kyi Maung, stated that he would send a message to the SLORC for talks without conditions on a speedy transfer of power on the basis of the 1947 constitution which, slightly amended, was already prepared for use. The army leadership had made it clear that they viewed the constitution as fatally flawed because it grants the right of secession to the Shan and Kayah states; and was tainted with colonial heritage because it had been written before independence. The SLORC refused to respond and factions within the NLD debate what they should do. |
| 27 July 1990 | Government Announcement | SLORC issued declaration No. 1/90 which lays the basis of the government’s post-election plan to which the party leaders would have to accede if they were eventually to gain any semblance of government power. The army refuses to concede power to civilians under an interim constitution and instead plans a national conference to draft a new permanent constitution. |
| 28-29 July 1990 | Opposition | Gandhi hall statement – NLD Pyithu Hluttaw members object to the new declaration saying that the legislature had not been elected to be a constituent assembly but to form a national government. They insist on the prepared interim constitution. |
| 4 August 1990 | Government Announcement | Speech at Pa-an by Khin Nyunt states SLORC was acting under martial law and held de facto powers of government and would not allow the disintegration of the union. He further mentions that the SLORC was performing activities according to its planned programmes step by step’ and that the politicians should be completing their arrangements with the election commission and doing ‘necessary preparatory work”. The regime begins arresting political party leaders for refusing to comply and forced party leaders to sign declaration 1/90 |
| 18 December 1990 | Opposition | Eight NLD members elected in the May polls set up a parallel government led by Aung San Suu Kyi's cousin, Sein Win, at Mannerplaw - the Karen guerrillas headquarters near the Thai border. |
| 14 October 1991 | International | Aung San Suu Kyi wins the Nobel Peace Prize. |
1992 Start of the National Convention – 1996 adjournment of National Convention
| 24 April 1992 | Leadership change | SLORC declaration No 8/92 stated the Senior General Saw Maung leaves his official duties due to his deteriorating medical condition. Declaration No 9/92 published simultaneously states the responsibility of Chairman, State Law and Order Restoration Council Saw Maung is replaced by General Than Shwe. |
| 24 April 1992 | Government announcement | Declaration 11/92 promises to convene the national convention in accordance to Declaration 1/90 and releases several high level political prisoners ‘whom there are no reasons to endanger the security of the state’. Political improvements follow with the reopening of universities on the 24 of August, and curfews being lifted on 28 September |
| 23 June 1992 | National Convention | Parliamentarians elected in may 1990 deliberated on which groups and how many persons should constitute the National Convention, although the final decision resting with the SLORC. Proposals varied greatly between parties. |
| 28 May 1992 | National Convention | A National Convention Convening Commission is formed to plan the convention. The committee includes 14 SLORC officials and 28 people from seven different political parties. It is chaired by Rangoon Military Commander Lt. Gen. Myo Nyunt. |
| 10 July 1992 | National Convention | The National Convention’s 702 delegates are named, only 99 whom are members of the National Assembly from the 1990 election (about 15% of all delegates). The majority of delegates are township-level officials selected by the SLORC. |
| 26 September 1992 | Government announcement | Martial law orders No 1/89 and 2/89 dated 17 and 18 July 1989 were revoked. The military handed over less important functions to civilians on 28 September, Law and Order Restoration Councils of township zones were named districts and would not include military personnel. On 7 October visas for foreigners were also relaxed. |
| 2 October 1992 | National Convention | A convening commission for the National Convention including 10 military officers and 8 civilians was set up by SLORC Order No 13/92. In the same order the duties of the convening commission were defined including one that requires the “Participation by the Defense Services in a national political leadership role in the future state”. The date for the National Convention to assemble on the 9 January 1993 was decided on 5 November. |
| 9 January 1993 | National Convention | The SLORC's National Convention meets to begin drawing up the guidelines of a new constitution. The National Convention starts its first session with the announcement that the first six objectives of the process have already been decided. It adjourns after just two days following dissension from opposition and ethnic delegates. |
| 7 April 1993 | National Convention | The convention is suspended again after ethnic nationality delegates protest against the proposed centralized political structure. |
| 7 June 1993 | National Convention | Lt. Gen. Myo Nyunt reopens the convention by stating that the new constitution must guarantee a leading role for the Defense Services in national politics. |
| 4 August 1993 | National Convention | National Convention delegate Dr. Aung Khin Sint, an elected member of the NLD, is arrested for handing out leaflets critical of the convention. |
| 15 September 1993 | Government Announcement | The SLORC forms the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), a social welfare movement that skirts the law prohibiting civil servants from being members of political parties by registering under SLORC Law 6/88, Association Law. The association’s patron is General Than Shwe, the president of Burma and head of the SLORC. |
| 16 September 1993 | National Convention | The National Convention is suspended again, as ethnic minority representatives continue to propose a federal system. According to official reports, delegates have agreed to the 104 principles for the draft constitution. |
| 15 October 1993 | National Convention | Twelve political activists are detained in Rangoon for publicly criticizing the National Convention. |
| January 18 to April 9, 1994 | National Convention | Delegates draw up specific chapters on the structure of the state and the head of state. Despite opposition from many of the elected representatives, the convention approves a presidential rather than a parliamentary system. According to the approved draft, the president of Burma must have been a continuous resident of the country for more than 20 years, have political, administrative, military, and economic experience, and not have a spouse or children who are citizens of another country. Such requirements eliminate NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi as a candidate. |
| 2 September 1994 | National Convention | The National Convention reconvenes and discusses self-administered areas, the legislature, the executive branch, and the judiciary. The move by the government to reserve one-third of all parliamentary seats for the Defense Services is approved by the convention. |
| 20 September 1994 | Political Dialogue | Aung San Suu Kyi has her first talks with SLORC leader Than Shwe and the second most senior SLORC member, military intelligence chief Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. |
| 28 October 1994 | Political Dialogue | Aung San Suu Kyi has another meeting with Khin Nyunt and two military officials. State media says talks were "frank and cordial"; and covered political and economic situation. |
| 10 July 1995 | Opposition | Military officials in Rangoon say Aung San Suu Kyi is released from house arrest after 6 years. |
| 28 November 1995 | National Convention | The NLD requests a review of the National Convention’s working procedures. Specifically, NLD delegates want to repeal orders that censor debate and allow for criminal punishment of those critical of the military during the convention. Authorities deny the request and the 86 delegates from the NLD boycott the meetings for two days with Aung San Suu Kyi saying the exercise does not represent the will of the people. |
| 29 November 1995 | National Convention | The NLD delegates boycott the convention. |
| 23 December 1995 | National Convention | The convention acknowledges and then rejects a Shan Nationalities League for Democracy proposal for the constitution to accept the principle of sovereignty invested in the people. |
| 31 March 1996 | National Convention | National convention goes into long recess. The SLORC adjourns the National Convention following the departure of the NLD representatives. It is widely believed that the detailed basic principles (DBPs) of a future constitution have already been finalized during the 1994-1996 sessions, including sections on the head of state, the legislature, executive, judiciary, the role of the military, and self administered areas for small ethnic nationality groups. |
1996 rising tension between NLD and regime - 2003 Road Map
| 20 May 1996 | Opposition | SLORC arrests NLD members planning to attend a party congress at Suu Kyi's house; coinciding with the sixth anniversary of the May 27, 1990 election victory. |
| 26 May 1996 | Opposition | NLD three-day congress begins despite arrests of at least 258 members who had planned to attend. SLORC says it detained the NLD members to prevent anarchy. |
| 28 May 1996 | Opposition | Party meeting ends with NLD passing a series of resolutions, including a controversial one giving NLD leadership power to draft an alternative constitution. The government begins mass rallies condemning Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD as destructive elements aimed at destabilising the country. |
| 7 June 1996 | Government announcement | The SLORC enacts Law No 5/96, “The Law Protecting the Peaceful and Systematic Transfer of State Responsibility and the Successful Performance of the Functions of the National Convention against Disturbances and Oppositions,” a sweeping law that makes public criticism of the National Convention illegal and punishable by prison sentences of up to 20 years. |
| 3 July 1996 | Bomb attack | A bomb explodes at the base of a propaganda billboard opposite U.S. embassy in Yangon; no casualties reported. |
| 27 September 1996 | Opposition | Riot police block the road to Suu Kyi's house to prevent the NLD congress from convening. |
| 1 October 1996 | Opposition | Officials say 559 activists temporarily detained since Sept 27 and will keep roadblocks in place to prevent unrest. Suu Kyi says up to 800 arrested. |
| 9 November 1996 | Opposition | Club-wielding, stone-throwing crowd attacks Aung San Suu Kyi's car and others in a motorcade as she travels to meet supporters standing outside barricades. Suu Kyi accuses SLORC of orchestrating attack. |
| 2-3 December 1996 | Protest | Students protests against police brutality and demand political freedom and rights. Police briefly arrest about 600 protestors. |
| 4 December 1996 | Opposition | SLORC restricts Aung San Suu Kyi's movements, requiring her to obtain approval before she can leave home. |
| 7 December 1996 | Protest | Soldiers and police use water cannons and batons to end an 11-hour street protest, arresting 263 students and sympathisers. |
| 26 December 1996 | Threat to Regime | Two bombs explode at the Peace Pagoda outside Yangon, killing five and wounding 17. SLORC blames exiles and Karen rebels; they deny accusations. |
| 31 December 1996 | Opposition | Government arrests 34 Burma Communist Party members and 13 NLD members for involvement in unrest. |
| 4 January 1997 | Opposition | Suu Kyi holds celebration for Myanmar's 49th anniversary of independence at her house, first major public gathering allowed since NLD congress in May. SLORC allows invited guests through barricades. Suu Kyi vows to increase efforts to bring democracy to Myanmar. |
| 6 April 1997 | Terrorist threat | Terrorist bomb mailed from Japan explodes in the residence of SLORC Army Chief of Staff and Secretary No. 2Lt. Gen. Tin Oo killing his daughter. |
| 20 May 1997 | International | US President’s executive Order – sanctions prohibiting new investments |
| June 1997 | National Convention | The NLD indicates interest in rejoining the Constitutional Convention, but the SLORC disapproves and prolongs the convention's recess with no date set for reconvening. |
| 17 July 1997 | Political dialogue | Discussions between General Khin Nyunt and NLD Chairman U Aung Shwe |
| 23 July 1997 | International | Myanmar joins Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) along with Cambodia and Laos. |
| 20 August 1997 | Government announcement | Myanmar reopens 38,800 schools but keeps closed some 30 universities and colleges. |
| 16 October 1997 | International | Private U.S. delegation led by former ambassador to Japan and the Philippines Michael Armacost meets with senior Myanmar officials, urging them to open dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi. |
| 15 November 1997 | Leadership change | Military State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), renamed the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) - SLORC Notification #1/97. The four top leaders of SLORC were retained in the SPDC, while eleven former SLORC military officers were either completely retired or relegated to a newly formed Advisory Council; regional military commanders were brought in to replace those changed. The SPDC is composed of nineteen military officers. |
| 20-24 January 1998 | International | United Nations assistant Secretary-General Alvaro de Soto met the chairman of the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Than Shwe, Secretary One Khin Nyunt, and the leader of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi. |
| 1 March 1998 | Threat to Regime | Press conference announcing the SPDC had uncovered an opposition plot to unleash terrorism and instigate public unrest in the capital and major towns in Myanmar. |
| 28 May 1998 | Opposition | NLD party congress celebrates the anniversary of the party’s May 1990 victory and demands that parliament be convened with the elected representatives of 1990. The government points out that the NLD had contravened existing laws and is hence liable for prosecution. Aung San Suu Kyi is accused of colluding with foreign countries to seize power. |
| July and August 1998 | Opposition | Aung San Suu Kyi makes three attempts in July to travel beyond Rangoon without seeking security clearance. Third standoff on 24 July attracted widespread international attention as it coincided with the annual ASEAN ministerial Meeting, drawing criticisms from western governments. Deadlock ends with security personally driving her back to her residence citing humanitarian concerns. |
| 18 August 1998 | Political dialogue | SPDC Secretary-1, Lt. General Khin Nyunt informally meets with the Chairman of the NLD U Aung Shwe |
| 22 August 1998 | Political dialogue | Home Minister invited NLD Chairman Aung Shwe for consultation and the NLD sends two of its executives. |
| End of August - September 1998 | Protest | Sporadic demonstrations by groups of university students in Rangoon |
| 6 September 1998 | Political dialogue | Over a course of a few weeks the authorities invite elected NLD representatives and party organisers to the government guest houses across the country. |
| 16 September 1998 | Opposition | The Committee Representing the People’s Parliament (CRPP), is formed to represent the concerns of members of the 1990 elected parliament, comprising nine members of the National League for Democracy and one Arakan committee member representing four “ethnic” parties. The government warns that the illegal convening of a national parliament in the absence of a national constitution is unacceptable |
| 24 September – 11 November 1998 | Opposition | From Rangoon to Bhamo, 19 Pro-government mass demonstrations were allowed in cities and major towns, mainly organised by the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) demanded stern and decisive action against the NLD and leadership. |
| October 1998 | Threat to regime | Exposure of a conspiracy by the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB – exile government), renegade students, NLD members and Western NGOs was publicised by the authorities at a press conference. The plot was described as an attempt to destablise the country by orchestrating student unrest, the intrusion by eighteen foreign activitists in August, and through the forays by ASSK into the countryside. 45 conspirators were arrested. |
| 27 October 1998 | International | UN Assistant Secretary General Alvaro de Soto makes a four day second visit to Burma and reportedly held two meetings with Aung San Suu Kyi and SPDC Secretary 1 Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, Foreign Minister U Ohn Gyaw and SPDC Chairman’s office Minister Brig. Gen. David Abel |
| 26 November 1998 | International | The International Herald Tribune publishes an article that alleged that a deal was being negotiated to provide US$1 billion of official development assistance in exchange for a compromise between the two contending groups that would entail a government relaxation of its stand on ASSK’s political role. However this was an ill conceived idea by third parties who had not consulted the government or ASSK. Myanmar foreign minister Win Aung remarks to Asia week “giving a banana to the monkey and then asking it to dance is not the way. We are not monkeys”. Asia week 25 December 1998. |
| 8 December 1998 | Opposition | CRPP expands its activities by forming ten committees for: ethnic nationalitiesl finance, economics and commerce; legal affairs; education; health and social affairs; foreign affairs; cultivators and peasants affairs; workers affairs; parliamentary affairs; and defence to operate until a parliament is convened. The party also distributes rice to needy people as an act of charity by ASSK at the NLD headquarters in Rangoon. By the end of the year, the top leadership of the NLD remained uncompromising in its challenge to the ruling SPDC, despite the fact that many of its township organizing committees had publicly declared their dissolution and individual members had resigned from the party, ostensibly over the confrontational stance and intransigent attitude of the party leadership. By the end of December, more than 6,000 members had reportedly left the party and 44 township executive committees had ceased to exist |
| March 1999 | Opposition | ASSK concedes that 145 members of her party were detained by the government and persuaded to resign from the party. |
| April 1999 | Opposition | NLD offers a blanket amnesty to army officers involved in the killing of prodemocracy demonstrators in 1998 |
| July 1999 | Opposition | NLD offers to hold low-level talks with the military without the presence of ASSK as a first step to resolving the political deadlock. |
| September 1999 | Opposition | SPDC announced the closure of over 50 NLD party offices, the resignation of more than 34,000 NLD members. |
| 30 June 2000 | International | Razali Ismail makes his first visit to Burma. The visit lasts four days. He meets with officials from the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), leaders from the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), and foreign diplomats. Despite Aung San Suu Kyi not being under house arrest at this time, Razali does not meet with her. |
| 24 August and September 2000 | Opposition | ASSK makes two attempts to leave Yangon to visit supporters but both thwarted by the government. She and other NLD leaders including NLD vice chairman U Tin U are put under house arrest for trying to violate travel restrictions by the government. |
| October 2000 | Political dialogue | Secret talks between ASSK and the junta commence, reinforced by the visits of the UN envoy Tan Sri Razali Ismail. |
| 9 October 2000 | International | Razali’s second visit. He is able to meet with Sr-Gen Than Shwe and Aung San Suu Kyi, marking the first time any special envoy has been able to meet with both leaders |
| 5 January 2001 | International | Razali’s third visit. Talks announced between ASSK and SPDC. SPDC also stops media campaign against ASSK apparently at the suggestion of visiting UN envoy Ismail and PM Mahathir Mohmad of Malaysia on his trip to Yangon. |
| 1 June 2001 | International | Razali’s fourth visit to Burma begins and lasts for four days. Razali is able to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi twice. He also meets with Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Foreign Minister Win Aung. |
| 27 August 2001 | International | Razali’s fifth visit to Burma. He is able to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi twice during the visit but is unable to meet with SPDC ruler Than Shwe. Release of Tin U and NLD Chairman U Aung Shwe from house arrest in an important confidence building measure, timed with Razali’s visits. |
| 27 November 2001 | International | Razali’s sixth visit. He has separate visits with Aung San Suu Kyi and Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt as well as other senior NLD leaders |
| 23 April 2002 | International | Razali’s seventh visit to Burma. He meets with Aung San Suu Kyi and Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt |
| 2 August 2002 | International | Razali’s eightth visit to Burma. He meets with Suu Kyi, Sec-1 Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, Burmese Foreign Minister Win Aung and ethnic minority leaders as well as foreign ambassadors in Rangoon. |
| 6 May 2002 | Opposition | ASSK released from house arrest and the promise that she could travel internally and engage politically in rebuilding the NLD. She responded with early travel, including visiting government projects in central Burma under the security of the SPDC. |
| 26 September 2002 | Threat to Regime | Ne Win, and Daughter Sanda and family are charged with attempting a coup against the military regime. |
| 12 November 2002 | International | Razali’s ninth visit. He meets with Sr-Gen Than Shwe, Gen Khin Nyunt, Vice-Sr Gen Maung Aye |
| 23 May 2003 | Opposition | Depayin USDA militia attack on Aung San Suu Kyi’s travelling NLD motorcade at Depayin in upper Burma, killing an unverified number of her supporters and injuring scores of others. ASSK and fellow NLD leader U Tin Oo are incarcerated in Insein Prison in Rangoon and then returned to house arrest. The international community condemns the attack, which many believe to be a clumsy assassination attempt orchestrated by the SPDC. The Japanese government suspends its Overseas Development Aid (ODA) program in protest. |
| 6 June 2003 | International | UN special envoy Razali makes a five day visit and sees ASSK in the grounds of Insein prison where she is held. He also meets with General Maung Aye and Khin Nyunt. |
| 25 August 2003 | Leadership change | Significant reshuffle of government responsibilities. Including the transfer of the Prime Minister’s role to Khin Nyunt |
| 30 August 2003 | Government Announcement | PM Khin Nyunt Announces the 7 Step Roadmap to democracy at a meeting of top government leaders |