From 1962 to 2011, the country was ruled by the military junta that suppressed almost all dissident voices with absolute power over the country and the economy.
The Burma are the largest ethnic group but several ethnic groups cohabit in Myanmar, what has led to considerable ethnic tension and fuelled intermittent protests and separatist rebellions. Ceasefire deals signed in late 2011 and early 2012 with rebels of the Karen and Shan ethnic groups have slightly improved the situation but tensions remain high.