Myanmar’s military chief Min Aung Hlaing has been appointed president, months after elections that were widely condemned as a sham. The vote by lawmakers took place on Friday in a parliament dominated by a pro-military party that won a landslide in one-sided elections earlier this year.
Min Aung Hlaing is the general who seized control of Myanmar five years ago and plunged the country into conflict and economic chaos after taking power in the 2021 coup. His appointment marks another turn in the country’s long-running political crisis, which has deepened since the military takeover.
The move also highlights the continuing influence of the armed forces over Myanmar’s political institutions. With parliament controlled by allies of the military, the leadership selection was made under a political system that critics say lacks genuine competition.
Min Aung Hlaing is also wanted by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity against the Rohingya Muslim minority. That case has remained a major part of international concern over Myanmar’s military leadership.
The latest development comes against a backdrop of ongoing instability. Since the coup, Myanmar has been marked by violence, displacement, and severe economic disruption, with no clear end to the conflict.
Friday’s vote further cements Min Aung Hlaing’s position at the center of the country’s political order. It follows an election process that has been denounced by critics and has done little to ease doubts about the direction of the country under military rule.
