Myanmar will return to the international spotlight next month when its people have a rare chance to exercise a vote.
The ruling military junta, which has been in power for more than 40 years, is organising a referendum on a new constitution.
The junta’s announcement in February of plans to move towards democratic government and to stage elections in 2010 took the international community by surprise.
But impartial observers of Myanmar’s politics are not holding their breath that big change is on the way.
With May looming, no one yet knows what the new constitution looks like or when and how the ballot will be conducted. Also opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi hasn’t been involved in talks about it.
And there are real fears that the referendum could unleash more protests like last September’s, as popular anger at political repression and the ruined economy boils over.
Frustrated
Davidson Solanki, Tearfund’s Desk Officer for Myanmar, has just returned from the country.
`Life is normal and people are getting on with their lives,’ said Davidson. `But they are not interested in the referendum and feel it’ll be a futile exercise. They are very frustrated and nervous about the security situation and what will happen.’
Davidson urges the global church to pray for the 54 million people of Myanmar, which has a Christian community of around 5 million.
`They are grateful for the support of the Christian community at large, especially for prayer support, which is hugely valued by the church and Christians in Myanmar,’ said Davidson.
• Please pray for the ongoing UN efforts to bring peaceful change to Myanmar. Pray that the international community continues to exert pressure on the country’s military leaders.
• Pray that peace will prevail before and after the referendum.
• Pray for Tearfund’s partners and the church in Myanmar and their work as they address issues of poverty through strengthening civil society.