Myanmar Junta president Myint Swe passes away

U Myint Swe, the president of Myanmar’s military-led government, passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 74 while undergoing treatment at a military hospital in the capital, Naypyidaw. The military government confirmed that he died at 8:28am.

State media announced that he will be buried with state honors, but the junta has not yet revealed the time or location of the funeral.

Former General Myint Swe was a close ally of the military. He assumed the presidency in 2021 following the military’s coup that removed the elected government. However, true power always rested with army chief Min Aung Hlaing. Before becoming president, Myint Swe served as the First Vice President under Aung San Suu Kyi’s semi-democratic government, where he acted as a bridge between the civilian and military leadership.