Myanmar Junta lifts state of emergency

Myanmar’s military junta has lifted the nationwide state of emergency imposed following its 2021 coup, paving the way for national elections expected to be held in December, reports AFP.

In a written order on Wednesday (July 30), junta chief Min Aung Hlaing declared the end of emergency rule after nearly three and a half years. The move comes amid growing international pressure and ongoing conflict with anti-junta forces across parts of the country.

State broadcaster MRTV said Min Aung Hlaing will assume the role of interim president and continue to serve as commander-in-chief of the armed forces while overseeing the electoral process.

The junta also announced the formation of an 11-member commission tasked with organizing the elections, though a precise date has not been confirmed. This would mark Myanmar’s first national vote since the military annulled the results of the November 2020 general election, alleging widespread voter fraud.

The military seized power on February 1, 2021, detaining civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her National League for Democracy (NLD), which had won a landslide victory. The coup triggered mass protests and a violent crackdown, plunging the country into political and economic turmoil.

Since then, the junta has repeatedly delayed elections, extending emergency rule multiple times, while resistance groups have intensified armed opposition in several regions.

Min Aung Hlaing’s dual role as interim president and military chief is likely to raise further concerns about the credibility of any future vote. The NLD remains banned, and many of its leaders are either jailed or in hiding.