Burma: junta leader installed as president

The head of the Burmese junta, Min Aung Hlaing, was sworn in as president on Friday, extending his control over the country, in a civilian role, five years after a coup that plunged the country into civil war.

The 69-year-old leader solemnly pledged during a ceremony in Parliament to “continue to prosper the eternal principles of justice, liberty and equality”.

“Our country has returned to the path of democracy and is heading towards a better future,” he said at the dawn of his five-year presidential term, saying he was “fully aware” of the “many challenges” awaiting his government.

Then head of the armed forces, Min Aung Hlaing overthrew in 2021 the elected government of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who has since been imprisoned.

After five years of authoritarian rule, his junta organized legislative elections in December and January, presented as a return to democracy.

The vote, however, could not be held in large areas controlled by rebels and resulted in a crushing, unopposed victory for the pro-military parties, which brought him to the presidency.

Many countries and international observers have denounced a maneuver intended to transfer power from the army to itself, under civilian disguise.

More than two thirds of the 30 ministers in the new government, also sworn in on Friday, are retired or still serving military personnel, and around ten of them have been targeted by international sanctions.

Min Aung Hlaing resigned from his post as chief general to become president, just before the Thingyan festival, which begins Monday and celebrates the New Year with water throwing ceremonies symbolizing renewal.

- "Links of friendship" -

According to analysts, the elections were partly intended to give a facade of legitimacy to the regime in order to improve Burma's diplomatic relations and attract more foreign investment.

"MAH" said in his first speech as president that he would work to "strengthen ties of friendship" with neighboring countries and "restore normal relations" with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Representatives from China, India and Thailand attended the inauguration ceremony in the capital, Naypyidaw, which was placed under high security.

According to Burmese state media, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul sent a congratulatory message this week, saying relations between the two countries would "strengthen even further" under the "competent leadership" of Min Aung Hlaing.

China, for its part, was the main supporter of the legislative elections, during which discussions on infrastructure projects supported by Beijing, which had been blocked for a long time, were relaunched.