Myanmar’s coup leader Min Aung Hlaing was elected president on Friday after winning a majority in parliamentary votes, formalizing his grip on power in a country that has been wracked by civil conflict for the past five years.
In a significant show of support, the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) joined with military-appointed legislators to ensure Min Aung Hlaing’s victory.
The former commander-in-chief won the vote by a landslide, overcoming the early lead of Nyo Saw, a retired general and the junta’s current prime minister.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing won 429 votes out of 584 cast by lawmakers in the pro-military parliament.
Before assuming the office of President, Aung Hlaing decided to step down as Armed Forces Commander as required by the Constitution.
The 69-year-old general cemented his position as junta leader in 2021 by taking over the administration of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi and arresting her. The coup sparked protests, leading to nationwide armed resistance against the junta.
According to critics, Aung Hlaing’s recent victory represents a move to tighten his grip on the country and perpetuate military rule under the guise of democratic rule.
“He has long harbored the ambition to replace the post of commander-in-chief for the president and it appears his dream is now becoming a reality,” said Aung Kyaw Soe, an independent Myanmar analyst.
For the past five years, Myanmar has been battling a brutal civil war fueled by serious human rights violations, dire economic conditions, and the absence of national stability.
In 2024, the International Criminal Court prosecutor sought an arrest warrant for Aung Hlaing over alleged persecution of the Rohingya Muslim community.
To counter the military strictures, some anti-military groups, including Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, have formed a new resistance front.
“Our vision and strategic objective is to completely eliminate all forms of dictatorship, including military dictatorship, and collectively begin a new political landscape,” the Steering Council for the Emergence of the Federal Democratic Union said in a statement.
