Myanmar’s military nominally handed power to a civilian-led interim government Thursday, while junta chief Min Aung Hlaing retained control as acting president ahead of planned elections.
State media announced the end of military emergency rule from 2021, replaced by a temporary civilian authority and an election supervisory body. Despite the move, Myanmar’s leadership remains intact, with Min Aung Hlaing holding dual roles as acting president and military chief.
The countrywide state of emergency, extended multiple times since the coup, ended Thursday, said government spokesperson Zaw Min Tun. The interim president and commander-in-chief stated the upcoming six months will focus on election preparation and execution, he told state media.
Since the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, Myanmar has been engulfed in civil war, with armed forces combating rebels and denying widespread abuse allegations.
Western nations label the election a sham designed to maintain military control, with opposition either prohibited or refusing participation. Myanmar expert David Mathieson called the power shift superficial, forecasting ongoing repression by the rulers.
“They’re simply reshuffling the same players under a new label,” he said, adding the election plans remain unclear.
Uncertainty surrounds the civil war’s impact on the polls. The junta’s voter census covered just 145 of 330 townships, highlighting its limited control.
Min Aung Hlaing informed defense officials that elections will be conducted in stages across various areas in December and January, citing security challenges, according to MRTV.
Martial law and a state of emergency will be enforced in more than 60 townships across nine regions, mostly along borders with strong rebel opposition, the report said.
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Since the coup, Myanmar’s military has killed over 6,000, detained 20,000+, and displaced 3.5 million, Amnesty International reported; the military denies the allegations as Western propaganda.
The military justified its 2021 coup citing alleged election fraud, but monitors found no evidence that would have altered the decisive win by Suu Kyi’s former party.
