1st August, 2022
General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar’s junta, on Monday, prolonged emergency rule his regime declared on the country for a further six months, citing instability.
A state of emergency was declared in February 2021 after the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratic government in a coup.
Myanmar has been in upheaval since then, with unrest spreading after the army suppressed primarily nonviolent protests in towns and cities.
In a speech aired on state media, Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing said that Myanmar had been striving to overcome the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic while facing internal violence.
The extension was unanimously approved for six more months.
“So it was difficult to implement the ASEAN consensus due to the lack of stability,” said Min Aung Hlaing, adding that only when the situation was “normal” could progress be made.
Last year, the junta committed to a five-point “agreement” to cease hostilities, but there has been little sign of the junta adopting the five-point plan, which includes an end to violence and talks.
Western governments denounced the coup and the detention on various charges of Nobel laureate Suu Kyi and numerous members of her party and supporters.
Some members of ASEAN, of which Myanmar is a member and which has a tradition of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, also criticised the generals.
While the junta has failed to implement the ASEAN plan, it has never rejected it.
“Our country is an ASEAN state so we value the conventions of ASEAN,” Min Aung Hlaing said.