The morning when everything changes.
It was 1st February 2021, 7:30 AM. I woke up and pick my phone up as usual. When I scrolled through Facebook, I noticed wifi has been cut-off. As that usually happens, I switched to my cellular data and noticed it has been cut-off too.
I noticed a couple of text message notifications. One of my friends sends a piece of news at 6:30 AM saying State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint including other leaders of NLD (National League for Democracy) has been detained by the military.
February 1st should have been the day when the first session of both houses of the third parliament meeting was scheduled. On February 5th, the first session of the third Union Parliament would take place where such tasks as electing speakers and deputy speakers of both houses, establishing parliamentary affairs committees, electing President and Vice Presidents, forming Union government and appointing members of Union level organizations will take place.
After I saw the text my friend sent, I turned on my radio on my phone for the very first time and scan through available stations. Found three stations and one of these was airing a Tamadaw Song so I keep tuning in this one. Just as I thought, after this song, there was an announcement saying that the military has taken control of the country for one year.
In fact, U Myint Swe, a former general appointed by the military as Vice President to represent the armed forces in the National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government, took over temporarily as the president and transfer the country’s legislative, administrative and judicial powers to the military’s commander-in-chief, in accordance with Article 418 of the 2008 Constitution (which was also one-sidedly drafted by the military government back in 2008).
417. If there arises or if there is sufficient reason for a state of emergency to arise that may disintegrate the Union or disintegrate national solidarity or that may cause the loss of sovereignty, due to acts or attempts to take over the sovereignty of the Union by insurgency, violence and wrongful forcible means, the President may, after co-ordinating with the National Defence and Security Council, promulgate an ordinance and declare a state of emergency. In the said ordinance, it shall be stated that the area where the state of emergency in operation is the entire Nation and the specified duration is one year from the day of promulgation.
The fact that President Win Myint was detained and still not approve that, this action of vice-president taking over as an acting president alone undermines the article 73 (a) of the military-backed 2008 constitution. It was definitely not a lawful act in the first place.
73. (a) One of the two Vice-Presidents who has won the second highest votes in the Presidential election shall serve as Acting President if the office of the President falls vacant due to his resignation, death, permanent disability or any other cause.
The military seems like they want the public to go on the road to protest, make riots and violence so that they have a strong reason for their actions. For now, their reason for announcement of state of emergency is that UEC (Union Election Committee) lacks to clarify around 10 million voting irregularity which is clearly not the people’s desire.
Up until now, there wasn’t any violence on the road but being silent on the roads does not mean people of Myanmar are agreeing with military’s act. We are carefully raising awareness and showing our desire peacefully. It would be very appreciated and of great help, if you share the voices of Myanmar people to your community.
As of now, the military has removed 24 ministers and deputies and named 11 replacements in its new administration after seizing power in a coup.
