Military vows ‘cooperation’
Path to democracy
NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar, March 27, (Agencies): Myanmar’s powerful army chief vowed Sunday to keep the nation “on the path to democracy”, days before Aung
San Suu Kyi’s civilian government takes office after decades of army rule.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing made the remarks at an annual display of military might by Myanmar’s armed forces, a body that long crushed democratic aspirations with an iron fist but has since stewarded the country through are markable transition.
“I would solemnly impart the fact that the Tatmadaw (army) will cooperate to bring about the prosperity of the Union and its citizens,” he said during a speech to troops at the annual Armed Forces Day parade in the capital Naypyidaw.
“The two main obstacles to democratisation are a failure to abide by the rule of law and regulations and the presence of armed insurgencies. These could lead to chaotic democracy,” he added.
“Only if these two obstacles are properly tackled and overcome will there be advancement on the path to democracy.”
Myanmar has undergone a stunning political transformation since 2011, blossoming from isolation under successive juntas to become an increasingly vibrant nation.
Historic
Its growing political openness was crowned by a historic November election that saw Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy storm to victory.
After a lengthy transition her government will take over from the outgoing army-backed administration on Wednesday, ending more than five decades of direct and indirect military rule.
Suu Kyi, who is banned by a military-era constitution from becoming president, will serve as foreign minister but has vowed to rule through her proxy president Htin Kyaw.
Her ability to cooperate with and confront the still powerful military will be a crucial test of her government, which faces a range of challenges including poverty, corruption, years of chronic under-investment and insurgencies by ethnic minority rebels.
The military still holds strong political sway under a charter that reserves a quarter of parliament seats for unelected soldiers and grants the army chief direct control over three key ministries: home affairs, border affairs and defence.
It also has significant financial clout, with two sprawling military-owned conglomerates owning vast chunks of the economy and decades of wealth accumulated by the military elite over the years.
Wealth
Sunday’s parade was a vivid reminder of the military’s wealth with polished battle tanks, surfaceto-air missiles, armoured vehicles and helicopters all on display.
During junta rule, spending on education and healthcare was a fraction of the military’s budget, a daunting legacy which now confronts the incoming civilian government.
Suu Kyi did not attend the parade.
Myanmar’s military ran the country directly or indirectly for five decades before handing over to a quasi-civilian government in 2011. Last year’s elections propelled Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy into power, although the military remains a powerful political force.
Suu Kyi’s aide, President-elect Htin Kyaw, will take office next Friday.
The relationship between Min Aung Hlaing and Suu Kyi is likely to be the key to the next five years in Myanmar. The Nobel Peace prize laureate is still barred from the presidency by a clause in the military-drafted constitution that was almost certainly aimed specifically at her.
The military also has reserved 25 percent of the seats in parliament for itself, guaranteeing that no government can amend the constitution without its approval. It also ensured that one of Htin Kyaw’s two vice presidents is a former general, Myint Swe, a close ally of former junta leader Than Shwe.