General Tightens Grip as Myanmar Army Unveils Interim Government

[geovalin]

The Irrawaddy

 

 

Myanmar’s military regime has announced the formation of a civilian-led interim government ahead of long-promised elections — though coup leader Min Aung Hlaing remains firmly in control.

 

The junta formally cancelled its emergency decree on Thursday, ending a state of emergency in place since the 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government. In its place, a caretaker administration and election commission have been created to oversee national polls planned for December and January.

 

Despite the reshuffle, Min Aung Hlaing continues to wield power as both armed forces chief and acting president. Analysts say the move is largely symbolic, designed to present the illusion of progress while maintaining military dominance.

 

“They are just rearranging the same pieces and calling the regime a new name,” said independent analyst David Mathieson. “Nothing has changed.”

 

Western governments have dismissed the planned elections as a façade, pointing to the military’s control of the process and the exclusion — or refusal — of most opposition groups. The polls are expected to be dominated by military-aligned parties and proxies.

 

The junta’s authority remains fragile. A failed nationwide census last year reached less than half of Myanmar’s 330 townships, reflecting how little ground the regime actually controls. In several regions, particularly along the borders, armed resistance has surged, with the military facing unprecedented pushback from rebel forces.

 

Martial law has now been declared in over 60 townships across nine regions, and authorities admit voting will be staggered due to security concerns.

 

The conflict, sparked by the 2021 coup, has plunged the country into civil war. According to Amnesty International, more than 6,000 people have been killed, over 20,000 arbitrarily detained, and 3.5 million displaced since the takeover. The military denies these claims, dismissing them as Western propaganda.

 

Meanwhile, China has offered cautious support, saying it backs Myanmar’s “development path” and political agenda — a sign of continued regional backing despite international condemnation.

 

With trust shattered and violence ongoing, the prospects for a credible election remain bleak. What the military is calling a transition, many in and outside Myanmar see as merely a rebranding of authoritarian rule.

 

-2025-08-01