Burma: the extension of the state of emergency, anything but a surprise

General Min Aung Hlaing, head of the Burmese junta, during the meeting of the National Defense and Security Council on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 in Naypyidaw.

PA

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Burmese official media announced on Wednesday, February 1, the second anniversary of the coup that propelled the army to power and plunged the country into chaos: the state of emergency has been extended for six months. .

An expected decision which will also automatically postpone the elections yet promised by the military junta for this summer.

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The extension of the state of emergency in Burma is anything but a surprise.

The National Defense and Security Council, composed entirely of soldiers, had little choice but to respond favorably to the request of General Min Aung Hlaing, who concentrates all power in his hands.

The argument put forward: “

 By Min Aung Hlaing's own admission, " 

 ."

The army points the finger at opponents of the junta and a government in exile dominated by former pro-democracy deputies.

They would seek to seize power “

 ”.

To give itself a veneer of legitimacy, the junta had promised elections for this summer.

They will be postponed until later.

But whatever the government, warned the head of the junta, the military will remain "

" of the country.

Reason why the resistance intends to dissuade the Burmese people from going to vote.

►Also read Burma: two years after the coup, the junta extends the state of emergency by six months

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• Burma