Myanmar’s army seizes power, popular leader Aung San Suu Kyi detained
In a statement on a military-owned television station, the army said it had carried out the detentions in response to “election fraud”.
By IAR Desk
In what is being described as a coup Myanmar’s military seized power on Monday. Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) party had won national elections held in November last year, has been detained along with other leaders of her party in early morning raids, according to media reports.
In a statement on a military-owned television station, the army said it had carried out the detentions in response to “election fraud”.
The Myanmar military had been issuing warnings of fraud in the run-up to the elections.
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In a rare interview to the Burmese “Popular News” the commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing told a local news outlet that the military was the “guardian” of the country and was watching preparations closely.
The military had also accused the election commission of “widespread violation of the laws and procedures of the pre-voting process”.
The 2015 general elections in Myanmar had ended strict military rule with Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD sweeping the elections.
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The military’s actions have been met with widespread concern.
On Monday morning India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement saying “We have noted the developments in Myanmar with deep concern. India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar. We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld. We are monitoring the situation closely.”
Similar concerns were voiced by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
“These developments represent a serious blow to democratic reforms,” Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
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“All leaders must act in the greater interest of Myanmar’s democratic reform, engaging in meaningful dialogue, refraining from violence and fully respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
New US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said “We call on Burmese military leaders to release all government officials and civil society leaders and respect the will of the people of Burma as expressed in democratic elections on Nov. 8.”
Myanmar remains a deeply divided country because of its long civil war between ethnic groups. It is also accused for ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya Muslim community with thousands of Rohingyas fleeing the country for refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh.
