Military regime extends emergency rule for fourth consecutive six-month period

By Admin 31 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
31 July 2023, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime extended its emergency rule for six more months at a National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) meeting on Monday in Naypyitaw, according to junta media.

The July 31 decision marks four consecutive six-month extensions of emergency rule in Myanmar since the military’s February 2021 coup.

Min Aung Hlaing urged attendees of the NDSC meeting to extend the emergency rule as killings have increased in Myanmar, again citing ongoing instability in the country.

But the extension means a deepening crisis ahead for Myanmar people, said political analyst U Than Soe Naing.

“People will continue to face multi-faceted crises as long as the military is in power,” said U Than Soe Naing.

The Monday meeting was joined by all members of the military-controlled NDSC, including acting president U Myint Swe, and Vice President Henry Van Thio. The two served as first and second vice presidents under the National League for Democracy (NLD) government that was ousted by the Myanmar military. Also present was parliament speaker U T Khun Myat, who also held the same position in the now deposed government.

The military-drafted constitution states that a state of emergency can be declared for an initial period of one year and can “normally” be extended for a maximum of two half-year terms thereafter, at the discretion of the military-dominated NDSC.

However, Min Aung Hlaing in January this year extended the emergency declaration for a third time, citing the country’s “extraordinary situation,” by which he was referring to widespread armed resistance to military rule.

Arakan National Party (ANP) chairman U Tha Tun Hla said: “The rule of law and stability has deteriorated badly in Myanmar. There won’t be any positive changes in the six months to come. People have concerns.”