Myanmar’s military junta has announced a six-month extension of the state of emergency, maintaining its grip on power amid ongoing civil unrest and a humanitarian crisis that has emerged since the coup in February 2021. This decision comes nearly four years after the military ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, igniting a civil war that has resulted in the deaths of thousands and displaced many more.
The ruling military council, helmed by army chief Min Aung Hlaing, reached a unanimous decision to prolong the emergency status, as stated by the junta’s information team. The statement highlighted that all members of the National Defence and Security Council, including the commander in chief and the acting president, agreed that the current socio-political climate still necessitates emergency measures.
Under the regulations of the 2008 constitution, the state of emergency precludes the possibility of holding elections. This development casts further doubt on the junta’s previously stated timeline to conduct elections in 2025, as it is unlikely that polling will occur before the latter half of that year, given the current military strategy and resistance. Min Aung Hlaing has emphasized the need for “peace and stability” before any transition to a civilian government can realistically be initiated.
Since the coup, the military has struggled to assert control, facing intense and organized opposition from a coalition of ethnic minority armed groups and pro-democracy fighters known as the “People’s Defence Forces.” These groups have gained ground over the past year, leading to significant battlefield losses for the military, which has adopted increasingly violent tactics in response to the mounting resistance.
The junta has repeatedly cited allegations of electoral fraud in the November 2020 elections, in which the National League for Democracy secured a clear majority. These claims, however, have been widely denounced as unfounded, and the military’s ongoing rule continues to generate widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally. As the conflict escalates, the humanitarian situation in Myanmar deteriorates, with many facing severe shortages of food, medical supplies, and basic services.
In light of the continued unrest, the junta’s extension of the emergency decree could lead to further instability in the region, raising concerns among international observers about the potential for escalating violence and human rights abuses. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for increased confrontations as the military seeks to consolidate its authority in the face of rising dissent.
