On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the military coup that ousted Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s government, Myanmar’s ruling junta has announced an extension of the state of emergency by another six months.
The news of the emergency extension was reported by the country’s state media on Friday, according to Reuters.
Four years ago, on February 1, 2021, the military in the Southeast Asian country ousted the elected government and seized power, throwing Myanmar’s decade-long unstable democracy into turmoil and pushing the country toward further chaos.
The ruling junta plans to hold elections this year, but critics fear that the elections will ultimately strengthen the military’s grip on power, with the assistance of proxies.
“To successfully hold elections, more work is required. Especially, stability and peace are needed for a free and fair election,” stated the government-controlled MRTV on its Telegram channel announcing the extension of the emergency.
The election date has not yet been announced, but the junta is moving forward with its plans. On one hand, they are struggling to govern the country, and on the other, they are facing fierce resistance from armed insurgents across various parts of the country.
After the military seized power in 2021, a powerful youth-led movement spread across Myanmar, which the junta crushed with an iron fist. In response, armed rebellion erupted across the country.
This ongoing conflict has displaced an estimated 3 million people and caused widespread food insecurity.
According to the United Nations, one-third of the population of Myanmar now requires humanitarian aid.
The UN’s special envoy for Myanmar had called for all warring parties to engage in dialogue and urged them to abandon the mentality of “not conceding even an inch.”
In addition to the conflict, the country’s economy remains stagnant. Many political parties are banned, and some are unwilling to participate in elections. Despite this, the junta remains determined to hold elections this year.
Liberty News’ international correspondent reports that opposition groups are planning to sabotage the election and have called on various countries to refuse to recognize the results. Even if the election takes place, they claim it will go against the will of the people.”
