Myanmar’s military ruler declares himself prime minister, vows to hold elections by 2023

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In a speech on Sunday, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated his pledge to hold elections by 2023 and said his administration was ready to work with a future regional envoy on Myanmar.

The announcement and speech came exactly six months after the military seized power on February 1 from a civilian government following elections won by the ruling Aung San Suu Kyi party but the military said it was fraudulent.

Min Aung Hlaing chaired the State Administration Council (SAC) formed immediately after the coup that has run Myanmar since then, and the interim government will replace him.

“In order to perform the duties of the country quickly, easily and effectively, the State Board of Directors has been reconstituted as the caretaker government of Myanmar,” said a news anchor on the state Miyawaddy TV.

In his speech, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated his pledge to restore democracy, saying, “We will fulfill the provisions of the state of emergency by August 2023.”

He added, “I guarantee the establishment of a union based on democracy and federalism.”

Shortly after the coup, junta leaders promised new elections within two years. Some local media interpreted Sunday’s reference to August 2023 as an extension of this six-month time frame.

Min Aung Hlaing also said his administration would work with any special envoy nominated by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

ASEAN foreign ministers are due to meet on Monday, when diplomats say they aim to finalize a special envoy tasked with ending the violence and promoting dialogue between the junta and its opponents. The military seized power after the ruling Suu Kyi party won an election that the military says was marred by fraud. She said its takeover is in line with the constitution. The country’s electoral commission denied allegations of fraud.

After the coup, Suu Kyi, 75, was accused of several crimes. Her trial is set to resume on Monday on charges of illegal possession of wireless devices and breaching coronavirus protocols.

months of protests

The military authorities faced months of protests and strikes that paralyzed the public and private sectors and a resurgence of armed conflicts in border areas.

The authorities described their opponents as terrorists.

“At present, the whole country is stable except for some terrorist attacks,” Min Aung Hlaing said in his speech.

An activist group in the Association for the Assistance of Political Prisoners accused the armed forces of killing 939 people in the crackdown on dissent since the coup and said that at least 6,990 military opponents have been arrested.

The army said far fewer protesters were killed, and members of the armed forces were killed in the violence. She said her response was in line with international standards in the face of threats to national security.

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