Myanmar’s Return to Civilian Rule — In Name, Not in Practice

Aaryan Bora, Political Reporter               Vanesa Zackova, Political Editor

Over the past five years, Myanmar has been under military rule. After seizing power in a coup, the military leadership has now formally steered the country back toward civilian governance. However, this transition feels less like a genuine democratic revival and more like a carefully staged consolidation of power. When Min Aung Hlaing ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, he promised elections within a year. That promise, however, was only partially fulfilled and only after half a decade. The newly elected parliament has now appointed him as president, following his resignation as armed forces commander, a constitutional step required before assuming civilian office.

The new parliament is largely dominated by elites, with the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party securing nearly 80% of contested seats, alongside a quarter of seats reserved for the military under the constitution. This arrangement looks less like a competitive election and more like a coronation. Min Aung Hlaing’s shift from military uniform to civilian attire appears designed to preserve his grip on power rather than relinquish it. His replacement as military chief, Ye Win Oo, is widely seen as a loyalist aligned with hard-line interests. Meanwhile, a newly established consultative body effectively oversees both civilian and military affairs, ensuring that authority remains concentrated at the top.

For many Myanmar citizens, the political reshuffle offers little hope. Activists who once led protests against military rule now face exile, imprisonment, or enforced silence. Accounts from detainees describing torture and abuse underscore the brutal aftermath of the coup. Five years on, resistance efforts continue, but optimism has given way to exhaustion. The coup proved to be a costly miscalculation by overturning Suu Kyi’s landslide victory in the 2020 elections. The military triggered nationwide protests that rapidly escalated into a full-scale civil war. This conflict has resulted in widespread casualties, displaced millions, devastated the economy, and fractured the nation.

The military’s strategy has relied heavily on airstrikes and scorched-earth tactics targeting resistance-held areas. Entire communities have been destroyed, yet resistance groups still control significant portions of territory. Although the military has regained some ground with support from China and Russia, it has yet to fully reassert control. The human cost is immense, with more than 16 million people now requiring humanitarian aid, and nearly 4 million have been displaced. Inflation, fuel shortages, and economic collapse have only intensified the crisis.

Myanmar’s economic struggles are further compounded by global instability. The country relies heavily on imported fuel, and disruptions linked to conflicts in the Middle East have worsened shortages. Power outages are frequent, forcing households and businesses to depend on costly generators. For ordinary citizens, daily life has become increasingly difficult.

At present, the opposition National Unity Government refuses to recognise the legitimacy of the new administration. Resistance groups remain highly active, and a peaceful resolution appears distant. Nevertheless, some voices are calling for dialogue. Veteran activist Mya Aye has urged negotiations between the military and opposition forces, warning that Myanmar risks disintegration without a political settlement. He has suggested that releasing Suu Kyi, now in her 80s, could help facilitate a fragile compromise.

For now, Myanmar remains locked in a political deadlock. The country has officially returned to civilian rule, but the underlying power dynamics remain unchanged. The war continues, the economy struggles, and millions face an uncertain future. On paper, Myanmar may appear to have moved forward, but a closer look reveals a nation still trapped in the aftermath of a coup where civilian rule exists largely in name, while real power continues to wear military boots.

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