Myanmar paves way for coup-leading general to become civilian president

BANGKOK — Myanmar has cleared the way for coup leader Min Aung Hlaing to become president and maintain his rule in civilian garb, following a general election from which major opposition parties were barred. As parliament convened on Monday, lawmakers nominated him as a vice-presidential candidate and the junta replaced him as military commander. The lawmakers plan to spend most of this week debating the choice of the next president. Under the process, three vice-presidents will be chosen, one of whom will go on to become president. Min Aung Hlaing is certain to be chosen, as he was nominated in parliament alongside two loyalists who are very unlikely contenders for president. Min Aung Hlaing has ruled Myanmar since 2021 when he ordered a coup toppling the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, detaining the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, dissolving her party and triggering civil war. In the ensuing civil war, thousands of people have been killed and millions have been displaced. Large areas of the country remain under the control of armed opposition groups. After five years of hardline rule, he oversaw heavily restricted elections that criminalized protest or criticism of the vote and returned a walkover win for pro-military parties in late January. The general elections were touted by the junta as a pathway to peace. But the vote was widely viewed as a sham, with many popular parties banned from standing and large areas of the country not allowed to participate because of the civil war. The regime has rejected this criticism, maintaining that the vote was free and fair. Still, around 90% of the members of Myanmar’s new parliament owe their loyalty to Min Aung Hlaing, either as serving officers in the armed forces, which are guaranteed a quarter of the seats, or as elected candidates for the military’s own party. Min Aung Hlaing is known to have wanted the presidency for a long time. The prospect of not getting it after the military party’s dismal performance in the 2020 election was a big factor behind the coup that ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.But there are trade-offs: the constitution states that Min Aung Hlaing must give up command of the armed forces if he becomes president. That carries risks. There are known to be senior commanders who are unhappy with his leadership. Min Aung Hlaing appointed former spymaster Ye Win Oo, a staunch loyalist who has a reputation for brutal treatment of dissidents, to replace him as the commander-in-chief at a ceremony in Naypyidaw, according to local mediareports. He has also created a new consultative council which he will head, which could give him continued authority over both military and civilian affairs. What is not in doubt is that the new administration will essentially be just an expanded version of the current military junta, but in civilian clothes. There has been no indication from Min Aung Hlaing or his deputies that he will change course, and end the violent suppression of those who oppose his seizure of power five years ago. — Agencies