People in Myanmar honk horns, bang on pots to protest coup

February 1 - the day of the coup - was supposed to be the first day of Parliament in the country, after the elections in November which Suu Kyi won by a landslide. However, the military backed party alleges that there are large discrepancies in the voter lists which led to her victory.

The country’s military says it’s legally right and was acting because the government did not investigate their fraud claims. Experts, however, are surprised that the military would upset the status quo, which already affords them major powers.

Myanmar has been cut off from the world, with television signals cut across the country, as well as phone and internet access in Naypyitaw, the capital. Phones are patchy in the country, but some places have reported functioning internet. Passenger flights are grounded, as of now.

Global governments have condemned the coup in the country, which sets back all the reforms detained leader Suu Kyi fought for over years. Watchdog groups fear a further crackdown on human rights defenders, journalists, and activists, while American President Joe Biden has threatened further sanctions.

The face of Myanmar’s democratic revolution and the country’s most popular leader is now stuck in limbo, having lost the democracy she fought for and also not faring great on the international stage after her espousal of the country’s treatment of Rohingya Muslims.