Origin of the conflict
After having been a British colony since 1885 and being occupied by the Japanese during the Second World War, Burma became independent in 1948. Since its independence, several groups have been engaged in a power struggle which is extra complicated due to existence of may different ethnic groups (135 in total). At the moment, the junta regime is in charge, which is viewed as a dictatorship. Apart from the struggle for power, Myanmar has other problems. It has the world’s largest number of child soldiers, high death rates (due to diseases such as HIV and tuberculoses, since humanitarian organisations are prohibited to enter the country), opium production and heroin trade.

Actors involved
- The junta came to power by means of a military coup and is trying to remain in power.
- Monks, and civilians who have joined them, have organised non-violent protest marches to plead for a democratic government.
- The National League for Democracy won the 1990 elections, but the results were annulled by the junta. Many members of the National League for Democracy were arrested after the elections  and their leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, was placed under house arrest. In 1991 she won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Chronological Timeframe
After Burma became independent in 1948, the democratically ruled Union of Burma was created. However, it was a very unstable Union due to its nationalist and ethnic conflicts, economic and political problems. When the Junta came to power after a military coup in 1962, it annulled all democratic institutions, as well as the constitution. The Burma Socialistic Party took over all political and administrative powers, nationalised production assets and centralised the economic policy. All independent journalism was prohibited. After the unrest in 1988, due to the elections, there was a military coup by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (after 1997 they called themselves the State Peace and Development Council). The National League for Democracy won the elections in 1990, but the junta annulled the results. Since September 2007 there have been many protests by Buddhist Monks, who enjoy a revered status in Myanmar and who walk peaceful marches which are joined by many civilians. At the end of September, the army intervened and there were various casualties. Also, temples were attacked and monks were arrested, in the process of which there have been more killings.

Response of the international community
Myanmar pursues a policy of isolation. As such, media and humanitarian organisations are not allowed to enter the country, and criticism and sanctions of the international community are ignored.

Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7013638.stm