Myanmar’s Coup Leader Who Sparked a Brutal Civil War to Become President

Five years after seizing control of Myanmar’s democratic government, General Min Aung Hlaing has secured the presidency through a newly elected parliament. His path to power began with the February 2021 coup, where he ousted Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy, a move that initially promised a return to civilian governance within a year. That timeline has stretched far beyond its original scope, culminating in his current ascent to the role of head of state.

Min Aung Hlaing’s transition to president required him to resign as head of the armed forces, a constitutional step. Yet, the change is symbolic. The parliament, which convened for the first time since the coup, is overwhelmingly aligned with the military. With one-quarter of seats reserved for the armed forces and the USDP, the junta’s party, capturing nearly 80% of the rest, the election was not a contest but a confirmation of the military’s dominance. The outcome was predetermined, marking a ceremonial validation of the regime’s authority.

Young activists like Kyaw Win, who uses a pseudonym, have seen their hopes for reform crushed. As a student, he was arrested for protesting the coup in 2022, subjected to a week of torture, and imprisoned. Recently released, he describes the brutality he endured: “They beat me with an iron rod, burned me with cigarettes, and slashed my thigh with a knife. My underwear was stripped, and I was sexually assaulted. They interrogated me, but it was never clear what they wanted me to say.” Despite his unshaken resolve, he now plans to seek opportunities abroad, feeling powerless within the country.

“The conflict in Myanmar will remain largely unchanged,” says Su Mon, a senior analyst at ACLED. “The new commander-in-chief, General Ye Win Oo, is a loyalist whose family is closely tied to Min Aung Hlaing’s. He is likely to follow the same path, prioritizing the recapture of lost territory. Resistance groups still control around 90 towns, leading to more air and drone strikes on civilian areas, and further scorched earth campaigns.”

The coup’s aftermath has led to widespread devastation. Min Aung Hlaing underestimated the public fury his takeover would provoke, especially after Aung San Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide in the November 2020 elections. His decision to deploy lethal force against mass protests ignited a civil war, resulting in thousands of deaths, millions displaced, and a crippled economy. The military has since ceded large regions to rebel groups but has regrouped with support from China and Russia, launching indiscriminate attacks on opposition-held villages. These strikes, part of Myanmar’s notorious “four cuts” strategy, have destroyed schools, homes, and hospitals, targeting communities loyal to the resistance.

During his final address in Nay Pyi Taw, Min Aung Hlaing delivered no signs of remorse. Instead, he reiterated the military’s justification for intervention, claiming a constitutional mandate for political engagement. He framed opponents as “armed terrorist factions” backed by “foreign aggressors and self-serving political opportunists.” His civilian attire did not soften his resolve, as the new regime continues to consolidate control. The path to power remains unyielding, with the military’s influence entrenched in both governance and strategy.