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In a televised speech, the military announced that power had been handed over to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and that it was declaring a national state of emergency for one year.
De facto leader Suu Kyi and several ministers of state are being held in the capital Naypyidaw, according to a spokesperson for the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD).
The two bodies have tried to share power since the 2015 elections, the first openly contested ballot in Myanmar since the end of military rule. This power-sharing relationship now appears to be over after Monday’s coup.
Here’s what you need to know about the situation.
Who is Suu Kyi? What is Myanmar’s political system?
However, despite the initiation of some democratic reforms and the establishment of a quasi-civilian government under the leadership of General Thein Sein in 2011, the Burmese military was unwilling to relinquish its power. The ruling junta drafted a constitution in 2008 that ensured that the military would continue to exercise significant political and economic influence, regardless of future administrations.
Under this constitution, the military is given a quarter of the seats in parliament and retains control of key ministries such as home affairs and defense. The military also has the right to veto any attempt to change the constitution.
It was within this framework that Suu Kyi and the NLD first formed a government in 2015. She was elected under the title of State Councilor – which had been invented as a loophole, since the constitution drafted by the army forbade her to become president.
Allegations of genocide against the Rohingya
After her victory in 2015, Suu Kyi’s tenure was quickly marred by difficulties in making real progress in the peace process that aimed to end the country’s many ethical civil wars.
What triggered the coup?
Monday’s crackdown centers around the November legislative elections.
The military has also repeatedly challenged the election results. He claims, without providing evidence, that there are more than 10.5 million cases of “potential fraud, such as non-existent voters” and called on the electoral commission to release final polling data.
The electoral commission denied widespread electoral fraud.
On Monday, it became clear that the military had seized power in a coup.
What is the situation on the ground? And after?
Myanmar’s first vice president and former General Myint Swe was appointed the country’s interim president on Monday. It is not known where Suu Kyi and the other detained officials and ministers are.
In its televised speech, the military said it had arrested Suu Kyi and other political leaders for failing to take action for unfounded election fraud and declared a state of emergency for a year. Power has been transferred to Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, who will investigate the voting irregularities, according to the announcement.
In a statement later Monday, Min Aung Hlaing’s office said the elections would only take place after the election commission was “reconstituted” and the voters’ lists were investigated.
“A free and fair multiparty general election will take place and then the responsibilities of the state will be transferred to the winning party respecting the norms and standards of democracy,” the statement said.
It’s hard to say what will follow, especially since there have been widespread disruptions in internet and news access across the country – which could affect people’s ability to get information or to organize any response via social media.
Netblocks, which monitors internet outages around the world, said real-time network data showed a significant drop in connectivity in the early hours of Monday morning. At one point, the only operational television channel was the Burmese army-owned television station Myawaddy TV.
Banks across the country have also been temporarily closed, with operations ceasing until internet connection improves, according to a statement from the Myanmar Banking Association.
What did world leaders say?
World leaders and international organizations were quick to voice their concern and concern.
US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation, the White House said in a statement. The statement added that the United States “opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or hinder Myanmar’s democratic transition, and will take action against those responsible if these measures are not reversed.”
Other countries, including India, Japan, the UK, New Zealand and Australia, have also issued statements calling for the de-escalation and release of those detained.
Australia called on Monday for the immediate release of Suu Kyi and other senior leaders held by the military.
In a statement, Marise Payne, Foreign Minister, said: “The Australian government is deeply concerned about reports that the Myanmar military is once again seeking to take control of Myanmar.”
“We call on the military to respect the rule of law, resolve disputes through legal mechanisms and immediately release all civilian leaders and others who have been illegally detained,” the statement said.
The Indonesian Foreign Ministry also expressed concern, saying in a statement that it urged “all parties in Myanmar to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to find solutions to the challenges so as not to exacerbate the situation.” .
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said they are “learning more about the situation” and China is “a friendly neighbor of Myanmar, and we hope all sides in Myanmar will properly manage their disputes within the constitutional and legal framework and maintain political and social stability. “
“The actions of the military show complete disregard for the democratic elections held in November and the right of the people of Myanmar to choose their own government,” Brad Adams, Asia director of the international NGO Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. communicated. “We urge the governments concerned to strongly denounce the actions of the military and to consider targeted sanctions against those responsible.”
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