Myanmar’s armed forces have signalled a rare leadership transition, just days before parliament convenes to select a new president. State media reported on Friday that changes at the top of the military, known as the Tatmadaw, would follow the annual Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyitaw. Deputy commander Soe Win told retired officers on Thursday that “leadership changes” were imminent, an unusual disclosure from an institution that typically guards its internal workings closely. The timing is significant. On Monday, Myanmar’s newly convened parliament is due to begin the process of choosing a president. Current commander‑in‑chief Min Aung Hlaing, who has long harboured ambitions for the role, is widely seen as positioning himself for the post after a military‑backed party claimed victory in elections held late last year. Friday’s parade, featuring tanks, missiles and flyovers, saw Min Aung Hlaing inspect troops in an open‑top limousine. In his speech, he defended the military’s 2021 coup and insisted its continued role in politics was “to collaborate in the national interest”, while denying it amounted to direct political leadership. Analysts say the public signalling of a reshuffle is highly unusual. “This is a scripted transition,” noted independent observer Htin Kyaw Aye, adding that such openness may reflect anxieties within the ranks about how power will be redistributed. Min Aung Hlaing, a career infantry officer now aged 69, was hand‑picked in 2011 by former strongman Than Shwe to lead the military. He has yet to name a successor, leaving questions over how the Tatmadaw will manage its next phase of leadership as the country remains mired in civil conflict. The developments underline the military’s enduring grip on Myanmar’s politics, even as the nation struggles with war, economic turmoil and international isolation. -2026-03-29
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