On the occasion of Myanmar’s 75th Independence Day, military leader Min Aung Hlaing detailed plans for holding general elections later this year and asked for the public’s support. He also pardoned more than 7,000 prisoners, including political detainees.
COMMENTS
Min Aung Hlaing announced on Wednesday that “upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair elections will be held in line with the 2008 constitution, and further work will be undertaken to hand over state duties to the winning party in accordance with the democratic standards.”
Since the ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government in February 2021, the military has attempted to legitimise its rule but has faced severe internal and external opposition. The international community has demanded that the military return to democracy.
Noting that “some organisations and countries had meddled in the internal affairs of Myanmar,” the military leader stressed that his administration has “decided to stand firm globally.” He also assured that his government will be “adhering to [its] foreign policy in order to safeguard the sovereignty, security and interests of [the] nation.”
He also urged international organisations, as well as the country’s citizens, to support the establishment of a “genuine, discipline-flourishing multiparty democratic system.”
Referring to the nationwide armed rebellion against the junta’s rule, Min Aung Hlaing stressed that “the cessation of internal armed conflicts” to safeguard “national solidarity and peace” were “absolute necessities” and assured that “strenuous efforts” were “being made towards that end.”
Myanmar’s ruling military leader details plans for election later this year in speech as he led ceremony marking 75th anniversary of independence from British colonial rule pic.twitter.com/flBAcP4uCO
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) January 4, 2023
SHAM ELECTION ACCUSATIONS
In October, Min Aung Hlaing replaced top government officials in the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) with loyalists.
According to observers, the latest party reforms were made with the view of the upcoming elections. Further, in order to gain legitimacy by winning the elections and becoming the country’s democratically elected president, the army chief would require the support of the party.
Myanmar’s 2008 Constitution mandates that Min Aung Hlaing must hold a general election this year after the emergency mandate expires. The current constitution also sets a two-term limit for the country’s head, meaning that the military chief could stay in power for a decade.
REMOVAL OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI
Last week, former civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi received seven additional years in jail, bringing her total prison sentence to 33 years. The 77-year-old Nobel laureate was found guilty of five counts of corruption that caused a loss of state funds.
Richard Horsey, a senior adviser on Myanmar for the International Crisis Group, called the verdict an “unsurprising” result of “a show trial.” He accused the military government of aiming to “silence” Suu Kyi and “remove her from the political landscape.”
Similarly, human rights lawyer U Kyee Myint said that the junta’s charges against Suu Kyi are politically motivated, as it considers her to be a threat and seeks to minimise her influence in the country.