UN and Western embassies voice concerns amid Myanmar coup fears

By Poppy McPherson

 

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a speech at the lower house of parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, December 18, 2020. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

 

(Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday he was following with "great concern" developments in Myanmar, where military threats and coup fears have overshadowed the planned opening of parliament.

 

Escalating tension between the civilian government and the powerful military has stirred fears of a coup in the aftermath of an election the army says was fraudulent.

 

The army has said it plans to "take action" if its complaints about the election are not addressed and a spokesman this week declined to rule out the possibility of seizing power.

 

In a statement Guterres called on "all actors to desist from any form of incitement or provocation, demonstrate leadership, and to adhere to democratic norms and respecting the outcome of the 8 November general election."

 

"All electoral disputes should be resolved through established legal mechanisms," he added.

 

In a separate statement, Western nations said they were looking forward to the "peaceful convening" of parliament on Monday.

 

"We urge the military, and all other parties in the country to adhere to democratic norms, and we oppose any attempt to alter the outcome of the elections or impede Myanmar's democratic transition," said the statement signed by the embassies of Australia, Britain, Canada, the European Union and United States, among others.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-01-29

 

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Somehow i don't think the Myanmar Military will give a flying **** what the rest of the world thinks, China of course hasn't said a word...

Few of us that follow Myanmar politics support the military 100%. However as long as 'certain interests' try to get hold of the oil, gas and minerals that have been discovered in the Rakhine (not off shore) then the military will be needed to maintain order, unfortunately in the only fashion that a military that is facing armed rebellion in a very difficult terrain, is likely to be doing.

The Islamists had a go and failed, now it's the turn of the drug and war lords, plenty of victims to go around.

Since when hasn't the military been in charge in Myanmar?