World’s Longest Internet Shutdown Ends In Parts Of Myanmar

The world’s longest internet shutdown – affecting more than a million people for 19 months in one of Myanmar’s ethnic conflict zones – has come to an end, according to a mobile operator based in the region.

The internet in parts of Myanmar’s troubled northern states of Rakhine and Chin was suspended in June 2019 following “emergency” orders issued by the telecoms department under Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government.

Following Monday’s military coup, mobile operator Telenor Group confirmed it had reinstated full services in eight townships in Rakhine and Chin states on Wednesday. “Telenor Group and Telenor Myanmar have been advocating for the restoration of services and emphasized that freedom of expression through access to telecoms services should be maintained for humanitarian purposes,” the company said in a statement.

On Wednesday, affected residents celebrated being reconnected to the wider world. Khin Maung from Mrauk-U township in northern Rakhine said the internet connection was back, but slow. “Now we got the internet back. So we know about the coup as well,” said Shouban in Maungdaw, who like many from the Rohingya ethnic group goes by one name.

Human Rights Watch said the internet restrictions had curtailed awareness about coronavirus health risks and information about hygiene measures last year.

The conflict in Rakhine state between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, a militant group agitating for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine people, has left hundreds dead or injured. Fighting spilled over into neighboring Chin state, forcing thousands of ethnic Chin, who are predominantly Christian, out of their villages and into temporary camps.

The region has also been beset by what the United Nations has said could be genocide, after a brutal military crackdown by the government which sent about 740,000 Rohingya fleeing for neighboring Bangladesh. The 600,000 remaining Rohingya live under apartheid-like conditions.