Myanmar s military has already replaced ministry officials, as citizens feel fight for democracy lost Feb 02, 2021, 08:59 AM
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Soldiers stand guard on a blockaded road to Myanmar s parliament in Naypyidaw on February 1, 2021, after the military detained the country s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the country s president in a coup.
STR/AFP via Getty Images
The Myanmar military has already replaced 11 ministers and deputies removed during Monday s coup.
Citizen leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was detained, urged supporters to protest the coup.
The military said they d be taking control for at least a year due to unfounded accusations of election fraud.
Myanmar military takes control, world mulls response
For many, coup was a surprise
Monday s coup surprised many Myanmar experts and observers, along with most of the country s citizens.
Several hours before the raids on NLD leaders, the Tatmadaw had rejected reports from foreign embassies warning of an imminent coup, claiming that the embassies misunderstood the legal context.
From the military s point of view, their takeover was completely constitutional. The Tatmadaw claims, without evidence, that electoral fraud in November constitutes a threat to the country.
Two articles in Myanmar s constitution, which was passed in 2008 by the military, specify that the president can declare a one-year state of emergency if the national unity or sovereignty is threatened.
Published: 02 Feb 2021 07:02 PM BdST
Updated: 02 Feb 2021 07:02 PM BdST
The military is back in power in Myanmar after a coup less than a decade after it launched a transition to democracy to end nearly half a century of direct army rule and international isolation. );
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The military pledged to stick to its 2008 constitution and return power via a free and fair election but set no clear timeframe and the junta detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and purged her allies from the administration.
Economists say the coup could spook foreign investors and hit international development support, with the threat of a return of sanctions that made Myanmar among the world’s poorest countries.