Myanmar’s powerful army chief vowed
Sunday to keep the nation “on the path to
democracy”, days before Aung San Suu Kyi’s
civilian government takes office after
decades of army rule.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing made the
remarks at an annual display of military
might by Myanmar’s armed forces, a body
that long crushed democratic aspirations
with an iron fist but has since stewarded
the country through a remarkable
transition.
“I would solemnly impart the fact that the
Tatmadaw (army) will cooperate to bring
about the prosperity of the Union and its
citizens,” he said during a speech to troops
at the annual Armed Forces Day parade in
the capital Naypyidaw.
“The two main obstacles to
democratisation are a failure to abide by
the rule of law and regulations and the
presence of armed insurgencies. These
could lead to chaotic democracy,” he added.
“Only if these two obstacles are properly
tackled and overcome will there be
advancement on the path to democracy.”
Myanmar has undergone a stunning
political transformation since 2011,
blossoming from isolation under successive
juntas to become an increasingly vibrant
nation.
Its growing political openness was
crowned by a historic November election
that saw Suu Kyi’s National League for
Democracy storm to victory.
After a lengthy transition her government
will take over from the outgoing army-
backed administration on Wednesday,
ending more than five decades of direct
and indirect military rule.
Suu Kyi, who is banned by a military-era
constitution from becoming president, will
serve as foreign minister but has vowed to
rule through her proxy president Htin Kyaw.
Her ability to cooperate with and confront
the still powerful military will be a crucial
test of her government, which faces a
range of challenges including poverty,
corruption, years of chronic under-
investment and insurgencies by ethnic
minority rebels.
The military still holds strong political sway
under a charter that reserves a quarter of
parliament seats for unelected soldiers and
grants the army chief direct control over
three key ministries: home affairs, border
affairs and defence.
It also has significant financial clout, with
two sprawling military-owned
conglomerates owning vast chunks of the
economy and decades of wealth
accumulated by the military elite over the
years.
Sunday’s parade was a vivid reminder of
the military’s wealth with polished battle
tanks, surface-to-air missiles, armoured
vehicles and helicopters all on display.
During junta rule, spending on education
and healthcare was a fraction of the
military’s budget, a daunting legacy which
now confronts the incoming civilian
government.
Suu Kyi did not attend the parade. https://www.today.ng/news/world/98216/myanmar-army-chief-vows-to-uphold-democratic-transition