Myanmar's military government extends a state of emergency and shifts elections again

Myanmar's military government extends a state of emergency and shifts elections again

Myanmar's military government has extended the state of emergency again in the country and thus postponed the parliamentary elections planned for this month by another six months. Under the state of emergency, the military takes over all government functions. The continuing violence in the country was mentioned as the reason for the measure. The government said that further security precautions were necessary to ensure a free and fair choice. The hard approach to regime critics and the extension of the state of emergency show that the military could not sufficiently consolidate its control over the country to prevent elections.

Myanmar has been ruled by the military for over five decades. In 2021, the military fell the elected government under Aung San Suu Kyi and spoke of fraud in the elections in November 2020, for which there was no evidence. The army then promised new elections until August 2023. However, opponents of the military doubt that elections were free and fair under their control. In the country there is both armed resistance as well as peaceful protests and civil disobedience against the military government.

The United States has warned of "profound violence and instability" in Myanmar in view of the extension of the state of emergency. The spokesman for the U.S. State Department, Matthew Miller, criticized the government's brutal approach and disregard the democratic efforts of the Burmese people. UN experts refer to developments in Myanmar as a civil war. At least 3857 people have been killed since the assumption of the military, as the independent auxiliary association for political prisoners counts.

The persistent crisis in Myanmar is a major challenge and shows that the country continues to suffer from violence and instability. The hope of a free and fair choice will be disappointed again, while the military further expands its power and control. The international community and the USA in particular are concerned about the development in Myanmar and have repeatedly criticized the military government. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether the country will eventually be on the way to democracy and peace.