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UAE
Summary
- Myanmar is again under military rule.
- Prominent leaders including Ms Aung San Suu Kyi have been kept under house arrest.
- The US along with many other countries have reacted strongly to the coup.
The reports of an unfolding military coup in Myanmar have shocked the world. The military has reportedly detained National League for Democracy (NLD) party's prominent leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders.
Suu Kyi won the November 2020 polls with a clear mandate securing 80% of the vote, leaving the military-backed opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) defeated and humiliated.
Image source: © Markwaters Megapixl.com
However, the military had set the stage for power takeover even before the polls were held. There were indications when Commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing had raised doubts about the polls' outcome. The USDP did not accept the defeat claiming widespread fraud in the election without offering any evidence to the election commission.
On 1 February 2021, a few hours before the new parliamentary session, the Generals took control of the country, declaring a year-long state of emergency.
The Generals have handed over the power to military chief Min Aung Hlaing, who has managed to maintain the clout of military, also known as Tatmadaw, despite democracy in Myanmar.
The Background of the Country
With a history of brutal military dictatorship, Myanmar started transition towards democracy almost a decade ago. Owing to the military's long-held power in the country, the armed forces are more powerful, giving little ground for democracy to flourish.
The military government had written a new Constitution for Myanmar in the year 2008. The new constitution protected the Generals' interests in case of the country’s transition to democracy. From 1992, the country was ruled by Than Shwe, who conducted elections under the new constitution in the year 2010. Boycotting this election, NLD refused to accept the new constitution. Eventually, USDP won the election.
Not everything went as per the military's plan of the limited democratic experiment: The growing popularity and acceptance of Ms Suu Kyi was clearly threatening the military power.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning leader became a famous name in the world in the 1990s for her peaceful campaigns for free elections and democratic reforms. Her campaigns brought a change in the country's political scenario. She led her party's victory in 2015 when Myanmar saw its first openly contested elections in 25 years.
The leader also tried to make her equations better with the military Generals in her first term. She defended the army over a brutal attack that killed thousands of Rohingyas. This support also tarnished her reputation as an international peace leader. However, it seems that she failed to please the military.
The latest coup in the country has received widespread backlash from global leaders with the US strongly opposing this attack on democracy. The UK, EU, and the UN have condemned the military takeover, while the neighbouring country India has expressed deep concerns. However, China has reacted differently as the Generals face no pressure from Beijing.
