International community condemns Burma military coup, supporters celebrate in the streets
Burma is grappling with a military coup on the day that the new parliamentary session was set to start, with many in the international community denouncing the energy seize as a menace to the strained progress revamped the previous 10 years.
The Burmese military arrested democratically elected State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and different officers, saying on the military-owned Myawaddy TV that the military would assume management for one yr.
Spokesman Myo Nyunt told Reuters by phone that Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and different leaders had been “taken” in the early hours of the morning.
Buddhist non secular and military flags are waved by supporters together with Buddhist monks onboard a car Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Yangon, Burma. Burma’s military has introduced it would maintain a brand new election at the finish of a one-year state of emergency it declared Monday when it seized management of the nation and reportedly detained chief Aung San Suu Kyi. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
Supporters of the military and the main opposition get together, Union Solidarity and Development Party, held small rallies on Monday to celebrate the ousting of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy get together.
Trucks carried individuals and loudspeakers by means of Yangon, the nation’s largest metropolis, with many displaying nationwide or Buddhist flags.
BURMA’S LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND OTHER OFFICIALS ARRESTED, PARTY SPOKESMAN SAYS
The worldwide community has largely condemned the swift energy seize, with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing “grave concern” about the declaration that each one powers have been transferred to the military.
“These developments represent a serious blow to democratic reforms in Myanmar,” mentioned an announcement from the U.N. chief’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.
FILE – In this Nov. 8, 2020, file photograph, Burma military Commander-in-Chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing leaves a polling station after voting in Naypyitaw, Burma. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File)
Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, mentioned the U.S. is “alarmed” by reviews from Burma. President Biden has been briefed on the unfolding state of affairs by nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan.
“We continue to affirm our strong support for Burma’s democratic institutions and, in coordination with our regional partners, urge the military and all other parties to adhere to democratic norms and the rule of law, and to release those detained today,” she mentioned. Psaki mentioned the U.S. will “take action against those responsible” if the steps “are not reversed.”
WHY IS THE MILITARY TAKING CONTROL IN BURMA?
Turkey’s overseas ministry mentioned that in an announcement that the nation “is opposed to all kinds of coups and military intervention.” It additionally expressed concern that the coup may exacerbate the state of affairs of minority Rohingya Muslims.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “I condemn the coup and unlawful imprisonment of civilians, including Aung San Suu Kyi, in Myanmar. The vote of the people must be respected and civilian leaders released.”
China took a extra muted response, saying that it hoped “all parties in Myanmar will properly handle their differences under the constitutional and legal framework and maintain political and social stability.”
In this May 6, 2016, file photograph, Aung San Suu Kyi, left, Burma’s overseas minister, walks with senior General Min Aung Hlaing, proper, Burma military’s commander-in-chief, in Naypyitaw, Burma. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File)
The coup follows days of escalating tensions throughout which many observers accused the military of planning to usurp powers. The military had cried foul over voter fraud after shedding final yr’s election.
Gen. Min Aung Hlaing reportedly instructed senior officers on Wednesday that the nation’s structure could possibly be revoked if the legal guidelines weren’t being correctly enforced – a structure the military crafted over a decade in the past.
The structure additionally offered the means by which the military was capable of usurp energy: Article 417 permits the military to imagine energy in instances of emergency.
The military had demanded a delay to the Nov. 8 election, citing the coronavirus pandemic as a security concern.
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The ruling National League for Democracy get together received 396 of the accessible 476 in November’s election, with the military-backed USDP securing solely 33 seats.
This is a creating story.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
