Myanmar Coup d'état 2021

In Myanmar, a coup d'état began on the morning of 1 February 2021, after the military seized complete control. One of the main reasons for the Myanmar coup d'état 2021 was the general election win in which Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party won by a landslide in 2020.

Myanmar Coup d'état 2021 History

The following occurrences eventually led to the Myanmar coup d'état 2021 -

• Aung San Suu Kyi's party NLD won a landslide victory in the general elections held in Myanmar in November 2020 with 83 percent of the body's available seats.
• The military of Myanmar questioned the accuracy of the results as approximately 9 million votes were cast in the election.
• Before finally emerging into Myanmar coup d'état 2021, the military also demanded the official election body of Mynamar—the United Elections Commission (UEC), and the government, to prove the truthfulness of the results at a special session before the new parliament took over on February 1, the request was however denied.

What Caused the Myanmar Coup d'état 2021?

The country's military argued that the results of the general elections in 2020 were fraudulent and full of irregularities. Moreover, the military believed that the NLD won a landslide victory due to the popularity of Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, who had been the de facto civilian head of the National League for Democracy since her election in 2015.

The Myanmar coup d'état 2021 occurred after the military argued in Myanmar's Supreme Court over the authenticity of the election results, then threatened to “take action” and finally surrounded the Parliament houses with soldiers.

How Was the Myanmar Coup d'état 2021 Carried Out?

The military announced the Myanmar coup d'état 2021 on the military-owned station, Myawaddy TV. The news presenter cited the 2008 Constitution in the announcement, which allows the Myanmar military to declare a national emergency.

The military detained Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, among other leaders of the NLD Party and civilian officials.

The President of Myanmar, U Win Myint, along with chief ministers of some regions, cabinet ministers, politicians, activists, and writers were also detained.

Lastly, the military seized complete control of Myanmar's infrastructure. Domestic and international flights were suspended, as also television broadcasting and internet in major cities of the country.

The country was in a state of chaos, as citizens lined up outside banks and ATMs. The supermarkets were crowded with people overstocking on food and other supplies.

☛ Also Get: Today's Current Affairs PDF

Effects of the Myanmar Coup d'état 2021

Military commander-in-chief, Min Aung Hlaing has taken power since the coup. Ms Aung San Suu Kyi was tried for corruption charges and was sentenced to jail for six years for several crimes, including stimulation of public unrest and possession of illegal walkie-talkies.

Violent mass protests have erupted all over the country against the coup. Opposition activists have formed a Campaign for Civil Disobedience (CDM) against the military. The country is gripped by unrest and is at the edge of a civil war.

FAQs on Myanmar Coup d'état 2021

Q.1. What is the Myanmar coup d'état 2021?

The Myanmar Coup d'état 2021 refers to the occurrence of Myanmar's military seizure against the fraudulent election results of November 2020 that led to a landslide victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

Q.2. When did the Myanmar coup d'état 2021 take place?

Myanmar Coup d'état 2021 took place on the morning of February 1, 2021, on the day the new parliament was to take over.

Q.3. How was the Myanmar coup d'état 2021 carried out?

The military of Myanmar announced the Myanmar Coup d'état 2021 on the military-owned TV station and took over the country's complete infrastructure.

Q.4. Who is ruling the country after the Myanmar coup d'état 2021?

Military commander-in-chief, Senior General, Min Aung Hlaing, has taken power since the Myanmar Coup d'état 2021.

Q.5. Why did the Myanmar coup d'état 2021 occur?

The Myanmar Coup d'état 2021 occurred mainly after the Myanmar military alleged fraudulent and suspicious general election results in the November 2020 election.