Myanmar: The Role of Trafficking in Ethnic Insurgencies

Myanmar has been in a constant state of civil war since its independence from Great Britain. The civil wars erupted between the different ethnic groups and the government on the grounds of an unjust political agenda, with the determination for ethnic freedom. These ethnic groups turned into insurgencies and carved their own regions, known as states, in Myanmar. The fight for self-determination has changed over the decades in part of Myanmar’s leg in the Golden Triangle. The multi-billion-dollar black market has influenced insurgent groups to traffic drugs, weapons, wildlife, and humans which leads to more backlash against government enforcement. Myanmar has been developing solutions with the hopes that the insurgent groups will share peace with the government, as well as receive aid and investments from international neighbors.