UN rejects Myanmar junta leader as president

The United Nations has refused to recognise Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as Myanmar’s president, despite his recent swearing-in ceremony in Naypyidaw.

In a diplomatic list updated on 13 April, the UN Department of General Assembly and Conference Management reaffirmed its recognition of the country’s pre-coup leadership.

Win Myint is still listed as president, while Aung San Suu Kyi remains designated as foreign minister.

This official roster guides the UN in matters of protocol, invitations and international communication, effectively signalling that Min Aung Hlaing’s presidency carries no legitimacy within the organisation.

The military leader was elected president on 3 April in a parliamentary vote and sworn in a week later, with representatives from 23 countries attending. Yet the UN’s stance underscores the continuing refusal of the international community to accept Myanmar’s post-coup government.

Since the military seized power in February 2021, both Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi have been imprisoned, serving lengthy sentences on charges ranging from corruption to violations of trade and environmental laws.

The UN’s decision highlights the deep divide between Myanmar’s military rulers and the global community, leaving the country’s political future mired in uncertainty. For now, the world body continues to stand by the ousted civilian leadership, a move likely to intensify diplomatic isolation for Min Aung Hlaing and his administration.

-2024-04-17