Myanmar’s military leadership ended the country’s state of emergency on July 31, over four years after taking control in a coup, marking a key legal step toward elections planned for late 2025. The decision comes as Myanmar remains deeply mired in civil conflict.
The 2008 Constitution mandates the lifting of emergency rules ahead of any election—a commitment the junta reiterated with a December pledge. Alongside the move, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing announced the creation of a new 30-member Union Government, installing his aide Nyo Saw as prime minister.
The regime, which extended emergency rule as recently as January, appears to be maneuvering amid intensifying economic woes and ongoing armed resistance from pro-democracy groups.
The rule extension had been cited with the need for “stability” to ensure credible elections. However, the legitimacy of any junta-organized polls continues to be rejected by Western governments, including the United States.
Just this week, new legislation came into force imposing harsh penalties—including the death sentence—for those accused of disrupting the electoral process.
The military continues to justify its takeover by alleging fraud in the 2020 elections, which delivered a landslide for the ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Min Aung Hlaing, in correspondence with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this month drew a controversial parallel between Myanmar’s disputed election and unsubstantiated claims of fraud in the 2020 U.S. presidential race.
Separately, Myanmar has faced criticism from the U.S. and neighboring countries for allowing criminal cyber operations and so-called “scam compounds” operated by traffickers and crypto crime syndicates. In May, U.S. authorities imposed sanctions on a junta-linked militia with links to the junta, accusing it of supporting widespread cyber scams causing heavy losses to American victims.
Meanwhile, at a July 30 ceremony in Naypyitaw, Min Aung Hlaing framed the current moment as a “second chapter” for Myanmar, expressing hopes for overcoming future challenges if the country moves forward with unity and sincerity.
