Myanmar's struggles continue until military rule By Jordan Conestabile

Six months after the military seized power of the Myanmar government, Min Aung Hlaing has declared himself Prime Minister. This move came shortly after the February civilian election, which military leaders claimed to be fraudulent, placing the nation in a state of emergency. In a statement Hlaing guaranteed the people of Myanmar the establishment of a union based democracy and federalism by August 2023.

Following a landslide victory, the caretaker government seized control after claims of a fraudulent election were levied against Suu Kyi’s and her ruling party. Aung San Suu Kyi, a 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient for her nonviolent efforts in establishing democracy in her nation, now remains under house arrest.

Aung San Suu Kyi (left), Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (right) -Wikipedia

Using a constitutional provision the takeover and dismissal of the nation’s electoral commission was deemed by the military as a necessary action for the government was now in a state of emergency. In his announcement to the people, Hlaing expressed the need for a two-year period to elapse prior to holding a new election.

Classifying the window of time as a necessary to allow for conditions to develop which would allow for a free and fair multiparty election to take place. Faced with months of protests and strikes since seizing power, the military has been accused of killing more than 900 civilians in its efforts to seize control of the nation. Military leaders has claimed their actions were necessary to national security. In addressing the nation, Hlaing pledge to work with a special envoy from the Association of Southeast Asians in an effort to end violence within the country.

Members of the United Nations are classifying the military takeover as a move away from democratic rule and of restoring peace to a nation that has been riddled with violence, and now rising COVID rates and regional instability. A protracted crisis has impacted humanitarian access to people in need, affecting the basic rights of the people of Myanmar. Being under the control of the military now opens up the door for a dictatorship form of government to be established, while democracy is once again being placed on hold.

Jordan Conestabile is a Political Science student at Utica College