Myanmar Junta Chief Formally Ascends to Presidency After 2021 Coup

General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar's 2021 coup, was elected president by parliament on Friday. The vote formalizes his grip on political power five years after he ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Min Aung Hlaing secured 429 out of 584 votes cast by members of parliament.

The move to president follows elections in December and January that have been widely criticized as designed to legitimize continued military rule. The Union Solidarity and Development Party, which is aligned with the military, won over 80% of seats. The armed forces are guaranteed a quarter of the seats.

Min Aung Hlaing stepped down as commander-in-chief earlier this week, a requirement to take the post of president. He handed command of the armed forces to General Ye Win Oo, who is considered a close ally. Min Aung Hlaing had led Myanmar's armed forces since 2011.

China congratulated Min Aung Hlaing and pledged "high-quality" cooperation on Belt and Road infrastructure projects. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that China supports the new Myanmar government in safeguarding national peace and stability. The UN and Western governments have criticized the election.

A 50-year-old Yangon resident told AFP that there is no hope for the country under Min Aung Hlaing's presidency. The resident, who remained anonymous due to security concerns, added that the government was formed through "fake elections." The UN estimates that more than 16 million people are now in need of life-saving assistance.

Myanmar has remained gripped by civil war since the coup, with nearly 93,000 people killed and more than 3.6 million displaced. Resistance groups, including remnants of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, have formed a combined front to challenge the military. The Steering Council for the Emergence of a Federal Democratic Union said that their objective is to dismantle all forms of dictatorship.

Kyaw Win, an activist arrested in 2022 for protesting the coup, said his commitment to the revolution is unchanged. He was tortured and jailed, and is now planning to seek work outside the country. Mya Aye, a veteran political activist, has formed a new council calling for dialogue and the release of all political prisoners.

Tin Oo, a motorbike taxi driver in Yangon, said that he cannot earn enough to cover rent and food. Myanmar imports 90% of its oil and petroleum products, and fuel shortages are impacting businesses. Su Mon, a senior analyst at ACLED, said that the new commander-in-chief, General Ye Win Oo, is likely to follow in Min Aung Hlaing's footsteps and regain control of lost territory.

Mya Aye argues that if the jailed democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is released, she could play a decisive role in finding an acceptable compromise. She is currently 80 years old.