Description
After the 2021 coup d’état the Myanmar people were left without a legitimate government. The military established an unelected interim authority that remains in power today. The morning of the coup the previously elected government were imprisoned and those ready to take officer were left in limbo, unable to complete their swearing in ceremony. In the months that followed an elected, but unofficial, government was established in exile, the National Unity Government (NUG). Since its inception the NUG has struggled to achieve recognition and has fought to build its legitimacy both domestically and internationally. Often what has aided its development on one level has created conflict on another. The NUG’s backing for armed resistance was greatly supported on the domestic level – but led to condemnation by the international community. Further, though the democracy promoters continue to condemn the legitimacy of the junta, they have shied away from publicly supporting or engaging with the NUG. This phenomena, and the dilemmas of governments in exile, remain critically understudied. This paper traces the development of the NUG within its first two years, analysing how limited international recognition and, at times, international condemnation has impacted its development and legitimisation both domestically and internationally.
