More than a dozen embassies, including that of the United States and the European Union delegation, urged Burma on Friday, January 29, to "adhere to democratic standards". They joined ...

Burma: the international community warns of an army coup

The international community is worried about the speech of the Burma army raising the possibility of a coup d'etat following allegations of fraud during the general elections of November 2020. © Thet Aung / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

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More than a dozen embassies, including that of the United States and the European Union delegation, urged Burma on Friday, January 29, to "adhere to democratic standards".

They join the UN in a chorus of international concerns over a possible coup.

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Burma emerged just ten years ago from a military regime that had been in power for almost half a century.

The Constitution, drafted by the junta, provides for a division of powers between civilians and the generals of the country.

But for weeks, the powerful army has not stopped making accusations of irregularities in the general elections of November 2020,

won hands down

by the National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi's party. , already in power.

They notably demanded to be able to check the electoral lists, a request supported by the spokesperson for the army on Tuesday January 26 at a press conference where he did not rule out a takeover of the country by the military for dealing with what he called a political crisis.

Fears grew further when, on Wednesday January 27, the chief of the army,

General Min Aung Hlaing

- arguably the most powerful man in Burma - declared that the country's constitution could be "

revoked

" under certain circumstances. .

The UN and Western countries worried by the army's speech

The delegation of the European Union and the American Embassy with sixteen countries issued a statement on Friday urging the military to "

adhere to democratic standards

We look forward to the peaceful convocation of Parliament on February 1, with the election of the president, and the heads of the two assemblies,

" it is written.

“

(We) oppose any attempt to alter the outcome of the elections or hinder the democratic transition in Burma.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has also expressed "

great concern

" over recent developments in Burma, his spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement.

He urges all actors to refrain from any form of incitement or provocation, to show responsibility, to adhere to democratic standards and to respect the outcome of (the election),

" he added. .

►Also listen: Geopolitics, the debate - Burma: the Rohingya crisis and the path to democracy

Allegations of fraud

The November elections were only the second democratic elections held in Burma since the end of the junta regime in 2011. But according to the military, there were 8.6 million cases of electoral fraud across the country - a claim she wants to investigate.

The electoral commission issued a statement on Thursday saying the ballot had been free, fair and credible, and had "

(reflected) the will of the people

She denied the allegations of voter fraud, but acknowledged "

flaws

" in the voters' lists and said she was currently investigating a total of 287 complaints.

►Also listen: Frequency Asia - Legislative elections in Burma: the many obstacles on the way to democracy

Burma: the international community warns of an army coup

Burma: the international community warns of an army coup

The UN and Western countries worried by the army's speech

Allegations of fraud

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