The commander-in-chief of Myanmar’s armed forces stressed on Sunday that days before a democratically elected government takes power for the primary time in 56 years, it’s imperative that the military stays a political force.
Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, delivering his Armed Forces Day speech from a podium dwarfed by a towering statue of three ancient Myanmar kings within the capital, Naypyidaw, reaffirmed the military’s belief that it’s the country’s sole unifying force and defender of the structure.
While the military “worked with the federal government and the people” to arrange historic general elections in November, which pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi won, it was not yet time to withdraw from the political arena, he said.
“The Tatmadaw should be present in a number one role in national politics with respect to our position in history and important situations within the country,” Min Aung Hlaing said, referring to the armed forces by Myanmar’s name.
However, he repeated that the military supports democratic changes, but warned that ethnic uprisings must be neutralized.
“I solemnly convey the proven fact that the Tatmadaw will cooperate for the prosperity of the Union and its residents,” he said.
“The two main obstacles to democratization are failure to respect the rule of law and regulations and the presence of armed insurgencies. This could lead to a chaotic democracy. Progress towards democracy will only be possible when these two obstacles are adequately addressed and overcome.”
The military seized power in a coup in 1962 and suppressed all opposition for many years. But it withdrew in 2011, paving the way in which for a semi-civilian government to organize for the November elections. However, it retains vital rights.
More than 10,000 soldiers took part in a parade to mark the day in 1945 when young nationalist leader General Aung San and his followers in his fledgling army turned against Japanese forces occupying their country.
Hundreds of veterans, foreign diplomats and politicians gathered before dawn on the massive parade ground to observe the ceremony. However, conspicuously absent was Aung San’s daughter, National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Suu Kyi. She attended the ceremony in 2013 but has been absent since then.
Also absent was President-elect Htin Kyaw, Suu Kyi’s chosen leader who will take power on Friday.
Htin Kyaw, a loyal confidant of the hugely popular Suu Kyi, will take the position only since the Nobel laureate is barred from holding the position under the military-drafted structure, which she has openly criticized.
Min Aung Hlaing defended the charter on Sunday, saying it was developed through “coordinated efforts of intellectuals, experts from various fields and representatives of national races and was ratified in a nationwide referendum” and paved the way in which for November’s elections.
The 2008 structure gives the military deep political powers. 1 / 4 of parliamentary seats are reserved for unelected military officers, giving them an efficient veto over constitutional changes, and the commander-in-chief stays under the control of three key foremost ministries: interior affairs, border affairs and defense.
It also has considerable financial power, as two vast military-owned conglomerates own an enormous chunk of the economy and wealth collected by military elites over many years.
Sunday’s parade was a vivid reminder of the military’s wealth, displaying polished battle tanks, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles and helicopters. Under the junta, spending on education and health care was a fraction of the military budget, a discouraging legacy that the incoming civilian government now faces.
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse
