Just seven days after he made the fateful decision to launch his coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February 2021, General Min Aung Hlaing made a promise; to hold elections, and return to civilian rule, within a year.
It has taken him five years to fulfil that promise. Today, the newly-elected parliament chose him to be the next president. Min Aung Hlaing has already stepped down as armed forces commander, as required by the constitution before he can take the post of president.
But this is civilian rule in name only. The parliament, filled with his loyalists and with the military guaranteed one quarter of the seats, was a preordained outcome of an election tilted heavily in favor of the armed forces. More of a coronation than an election.
Min Aung Hlaing has made sure military figures dominate the new government, with General Ye Win Oo stepping up as the new military chief, ensuring his hardline policies endure.
As Myanmar faces immense challenges, local activists like Kyaw Win fear for their future. Having faced torture for protesting against the coup, they say their revolution is far from over, though many feel powerless under the current regime.
The five years since the coup have seen a devastating civil war with mass protests met with lethal force, resulting in thousands killed and millions displaced.
As conditions worsen, including fuel shortages and economic collapse, many citizens express skepticism about the newly appointed leadership, feeling that the struggles will only continue. Calls for compromise and dialogue linger, but the hardline approach of the military shows little inclination to change.
It has taken him five years to fulfil that promise. Today, the newly-elected parliament chose him to be the next president. Min Aung Hlaing has already stepped down as armed forces commander, as required by the constitution before he can take the post of president.
But this is civilian rule in name only. The parliament, filled with his loyalists and with the military guaranteed one quarter of the seats, was a preordained outcome of an election tilted heavily in favor of the armed forces. More of a coronation than an election.
Min Aung Hlaing has made sure military figures dominate the new government, with General Ye Win Oo stepping up as the new military chief, ensuring his hardline policies endure.
As Myanmar faces immense challenges, local activists like Kyaw Win fear for their future. Having faced torture for protesting against the coup, they say their revolution is far from over, though many feel powerless under the current regime.
The five years since the coup have seen a devastating civil war with mass protests met with lethal force, resulting in thousands killed and millions displaced.
As conditions worsen, including fuel shortages and economic collapse, many citizens express skepticism about the newly appointed leadership, feeling that the struggles will only continue. Calls for compromise and dialogue linger, but the hardline approach of the military shows little inclination to change.
