2015 / Editorial / General News

Junta in Wonderland

  • Photographer
    Stéphanie Buret

Junta in Wonderland In 2005, the Burmese junta started to build NayPyiTaw, her new capital city, in the middle of the country in the bush. Officials were forced to move from Rangoon. The huge city became actually the new army residence. Military parades and summits are organised in NayPyiTaw for the Ministers and the Head of State. The city is accessible since 2011. Soldiers are controlling an empty city which include several very distant aeras. 20 lane-highways with no road signs (!) and lotus fountain roundabouts punctuate this inhuman space. Though environnment is dry and water/electricity ressources are lacking in the country, NayPyiTaw get 24h/24h connection. Moreover, cleaners employees are everywhere to polish the « Wonderland ». Aung San Suu Kyi is talking about the city saying it’s a « Disneyland fascist ». New elections will come in November 2015.