{"id":178558,"date":"2021-02-08T12:01:13","date_gmt":"2021-02-08T12:01:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=178558"},"modified":"2021-02-03T04:17:59","modified_gmt":"2021-02-03T04:17:59","slug":"myanmar-coup-what-is-happening-and-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2021\/02\/myanmar-coup-what-is-happening-and-why\/","title":{"rendered":"Myanmar Coup: What Is Happening and Why?"},"content":{"rendered":"

2 Feb 2021 – Myanmar hit headlines around the world on Monday [1 Feb] when its military seized control.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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The country’s leader, [Nobel Peace Laureate] Aung San Suu Kyi, and members of her party are thought to be under house arrest<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Where is Myanmar?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Myanmar, also known as Burma, is in Southeast Asia and neighbours Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh, China and India.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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It has a population of about 54 million, most of whom speak Burmese, although other languages are also spoken. The biggest city is Yangon (Rangoon) but the capital is Nay Pyi Taw.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The main religion is Buddhism. There are many ethnic groups in the country, including the Rohingya Muslims<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The ruling military changed the country’s name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989, a year after thousands of people were killed in a crackdown on a popular uprising.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The country was ruled by the armed forces from 1962 until 2011, when a new government began ushering in a return to civilian rule.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What has happened now, and why?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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The military has once more taken over the country, declaring a year-long state of emergency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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It seized control following a general election which Ms Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party won by a landslide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The armed forces had backed the opposition, who were demanding a re-run of the vote, claiming widespread fraud.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The election commission said there was no evidence to support these claims.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The coup was staged as a new session of parliament was set to open.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Who is in charge now?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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The military says that power has been handed over to commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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He has long wielded significant political influence, successfully maintaining the power of the Tatmadaw – Myanmar’s military – even as the country transitioned towards democracy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Min<\/span><\/div>
Min Aung Hlaing is the leader of the coup. Getty Images<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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He has received international condemnation and sanctions for his alleged role in the military’s attacks on ethnic minorities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The military has already replaced numerous ministers and deputies, including in finance, health, the interior and foreign affairs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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