Myanmar’s military government announced a six-month extension of the state of emergency on Wednesday, as state media reported.
The junta, grappling with increasing difficulties in asserting control amid widespread conflict and an economic downturn, declared the extension necessary to compile population data for voter lists in preparation for an election promised for the following year.
Initially, the state of emergency was imposed for one year after the February 2021 military coup that deposed the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
The coup incited mass protests, which were met with a swift and brutal crackdown by the military. The extension, renewed biannually, occurs against the backdrop of a protest movement that has escalated into an armed rebellion, now significantly challenging the military’s grip on power.
“Ongoing terrorist activities necessitate the restoration of peace and stability,” stated the state-run media concerning the recent extension, alluding to the armed resistance’s actions.
Min Aung Hlaing, the junta leader, recently assumed the duties of Myanmar’s president as the nominal head of state took medical leave due to an extended illness. He has promised to hold a multi-party election, announcing in June that it is slated for 2025. The initial election schedule has been postponed, with ongoing violence cited as the main cause.
Following allegations of fraud in the November 2020 general election, which Aung San Suu Kyi’s party won by a large margin, the military seized power. These allegations were denied by the party, and no substantial evidence of widespread fraud was found by election observers.
