cptrelentless wrote:I think if I'd been under house arrest for 20-odd years I might spend a little time out of the country

As the first year of its tenure has come to a close, many continue to question whether Burma’s elected civilian-led government has managed to accomplish its aims, or if in this regard, it has failed.

One certain thing we have witnessed is that the government led by State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is still struggling to bring about peace, national reconciliation and create a democratic federal Union, as well as increase economic growth and development in the country, which has been left in disarray after more than 50 years of military dictatorship.

Burma is still suffering from many of the problems inherited from the past. A 70-year civil war continues. The military—the country’s most powerful institution—still calls the shots on conflict with ethnic armed groups.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said: “They [the military] are free to go in and fight. And of course that is in the Constitution. Military matters are to be left to the army. That’s why we are trying to change the Constitution. Amending the Constitution is one of our aims.”

One of the biggest challenges for the NLD government is still the 2008 charter drafted by the previous military regime, which guarantees the political power of the military in the government with three key ministerial positions—defense, home and border affairs—and 25 percent of all legislative seats reserved for military appointees

The State Counselor admitted in her speech that some of her ministers have been inactive and some are not in the right positions. Regarding these cases, the government will make necessary changes, she added.

As she said, one year is not a long period of time for a government to do its work. But it is now time for the NLD administration to fix their political missteps, unpopular policies and controversial leadership style. It is time for a reshuffle of the cabinet. The State Counselor must axe incapable ministers and high-ranking officials and replace them with those who can make her government more competent.