JAKARTA – The future of the fragile peace process that has sought to end Myanmar's decades-long conflict between the military, armed ethnic groups and militias has become even more uncertain following the military coup that removed high-ranking elected officials, including Aung San Suu Kyi, from power.
Over 20 ethnic groups have been fighting the military over control of predominantly ethnic-minority borderland areas, including Shan, Kachin, Karen and Rakhine states.
The groups have sought greater autonomy for their regions, which are often rich with natural resources. The military and militias aligned with it have fought for continued centralized power and control.