By Aiyeku Timothy
Myanmar’s military has seized power and declared a state of emergency for one year in a coup d’ etat.
This happened after days of escalating tensions over the result of November’s parliamentary elections.
Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s de facto leader, President Win Myint and other senior members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party have been detained in the capital, Naypyidaw, on Monday.
According to a video broadcast on military-owned television, it was declared that power has been handed to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, citing “huge irregularities” in November’s vote.
The power grab has been condemned by world leaders. A United Nations’ official assigned to Myanmar also condemned the coup and urged an unequivocal response on the matter.
“The constitution that the Generals wrote and that they pledged just 48 hours ago to fully abide by has now been overturned,” Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, told Al Jazeera.
“This is nothing short of outrageous, deeply disturbing and I think what is important is for the international community, first and foremost, to speak out very clearly and very unequivocally that this is unacceptable,” he said.
Thant Myint-U, a prominent Myanmar historian and author, said in a tweet that the coup had opened doors to “a very different future”.
“I have a sinking feeling that no one will really be able to control what comes next,” he said.
“And remember Myanmar’s a country awash in weapons, with deep divisions across ethnic and religious lines, where millions can barely feed themselves.”
In his reaction, Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne expressed deep concern “at reports the Myanmar military is once again seeking to seize control of Myanmar and has detained State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint”.
“We call on the military to respect the rule of law, to resolve disputes through lawful mechanisms and to release immediately all civilian leaders and others who have been detained unlawfully.”
A spokeswoman for US President Joe Biden said Washington was “alarmed” by reports of the Myanmar military’s “steps to undermine the country’s democratic transition” as well as the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders.
“The United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition, and will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed,” Jen Psaki said in a statement.
