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AFP, NAYPYIDAW
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Myanmar’s pro-military lawmakers yesterday elected junta chief Min Aung Hlaing as president, with the former armed forces commander set to maintain his rule in a civilian guise after snatching power by force five years ago.
The coup-leading general ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, triggering a civil war that has killed tens of thousands of people.
Myanmar Parliament Speaker Aung Lin Dwe announced Min Aung Hlaing was elected president, chosen by military-aligned members of parliament installed in a recent election overseen by the junta he leads.
Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing inspects officers during a parade to commemorate Myanmar’s 78th Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw on March 27, 2023.
Photo: AP
Min Aung Hlaing secured 429 of 584 votes cast in the upper and lower houses of parliament, a parliament official said.
While the junta touted the parliament’s reopening last month as a return of power to the people, analysts describe it as civilian window dressing intended to launder the military’s continuing rule.
“There is no hope for the country under his presidency. The country will only get worse,” a Yangon resident said, on condition of anonymity. “I never expected anything from this government anyway.”
The pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won more than 80 percent of parliamentary seats contested in the phased poll that concluded in January.
Serving members of the Myanmar armed forces also occupy unelected seats, making up one-quarter of the total.
Analysts said the decision by Myanmar’s top brass to cloak its command in civilian dress gives some regional partners cover to engage with and invest in a country that many Western nations consider a pariah.
Key junta ally China congratulated Min Aung Hlaing on his election win and pledged “high-quality” cooperation on Beijing’s Belt and Road infrastructure projects.
“China supports the new Myanmar government in safeguarding national peace and stability, and realizing development and prosperity,” Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning (毛寧) said.
Min Aung Hlaing is expected to be sworn in as president next week.
The new government is expected to march in lockstep with the top brass now that the USDP is entrenched in parliament with backup from the unelected military lawmakers.
