US, allies vow to restore democracy in Myanmar

At least 4 people were killed in Myanmar on Saturday, as security forces fired on peaceful demonstrators who protested against the military coup.

 

The protests coincide with the United States (U.S.), India, Australia, and Japan leaders' commitment to working together to restore democracy in Myanmar, where violence has escalated with the authorities' suppression of protests and civil disobedience.

 

It is worth mentioning that, the U.N. Security Council failed to agree on a statement that would have condemned the coup in Myanmar, called on the military to show restraint, and threatened to consider “other measures,” but diplomats noted the talks would likely continue.

 

The diplomats said that during an initial attempt to finalize the text, China, Russia, Vietnam, and India proposed late Tuesday to introduce amendments to a British draft, including deleting the reference to a coup, and the threat to consider further measures.

 

Violent clashes between security forces and protesters continued in the country as demonstrators are taking to streets in different cities to protest the military coup that took place on Feb. 1.

 

Earlier, the US Department of Commerce announced imposing sanctions on Myanmar’s Ministries of Defense and home affairs by adding them to its trade blacklist, to punish Myanmar’s army for its Feb 1 coup.

 

Sanctions were imposed on the two ministries, in addition to two other entities in the country, due to the coup in Burma, according to a statement by the U.S. Department.