Myanmar military-owned Myawaddy TV reported that the military has taken over the command of the country for a year and mentioned a section of the military-drafted Constitution that permits military takeover during a national emergency. The reason stated for the takeover was because of the government’s failure to respond on the voter fraud in last November’s election claimed by the military.
This action taken by the military is turnabout of the remarkable progress made by Myanmar towards democracy after 50 years of military rule and international isolation. It is shocking for Suu Kyi’s fall from power as she led the democracy movements and even won a Noble Peace Prize for her efforts.
In the wee hours of Monday, the nation’s top leader and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, and the country’s president, Win Myint were detained.
The party’s Central Executive Committee members, lawmakers and regional Cabinet members had also been under arrest. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party cannot be reached as phone and internet services to Nay Pyi Taw were disconnected.
Other nations like the US, Australia have recommended Myanmar’s military to abide and respect the rule of law.
Suu Kyi, the 75-year-old, is the country’s most dominant, charismatic leader who led a non-violent struggle against the military rule for decades.
396 out of 476 seats were won by her party together in both the upper and lower houses of the Parliament in the November elections, but military holds 25 per cent of the total seats according to the 2008 military-drafted Constitution.
The State Union Election Commission last week refused the allegations made by the military, about the voting fraud, as the military failed to provide any proof to support its claim.
On Saturday, the military denied that it had threatened a coup, accused organisations and media for misrepresenting general’s words.
On Sunday, it stuck with its denial and blamed unnamed foreign embassies of misunderstanding the military’s action, word and position.
US officials at the National Security Council and the state department said they were not aware and sure about a coup and detentions had taken place.
