Myanmar army reasserts its power and political role ahead of democratic transition

Myanmar’s armed forces commander-in-chief stressed on Sunday the need for the military to remain a political force just days before a democratically elected government is set to take power for the first time in 56 years.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, making an Armed Forces Day speech from a podium dwarfed by a towering statue of Myanmar’s three ancient kings in the capital, Naypyidaw, reasserted the military’s belief that it is the country’s sole unifying force and protector of the constitution.

Though the military had “cooperated with the government and the people”, to hold a historic general election in November, that was won by pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, it was not yet time to step away from the political arena, he said.

“The Tatmadaw has to be present as the leading role in national politics with regards to the ways we stand along the history and the critical situations of the country,” Min Aung Hlaing said, referring to the armed forces by their Myanmar name.

He did, however, reiterate that the military supports the democratic transition but warned that ethnic insurgencies must be neutralised.

“I would solemnly impart the fact that the Tatmadaw will cooperate to bring about the prosperity of the Union and its citizens,” he said.

“The two main obstacles to democratisation are a failure to abide by the rule of law and regulations and the presence of armed insurgencies. These could lead to chaotic democracy. Only if these two obstacles are properly tackled and overcome will there be advancement on the path to democracy.”