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The coup came a few weeks after tensions escalated between the military and civilian governments that had ruled the country for nearly five decades. The tensions arose from allegations of fraud in the November elections, which were easily won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD).
The army, which claims there were irregularities in the elections, hinted last week that it might take power.
Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint were arrested in the capital Neipide the morning before dawn, NLD spokeswoman Myo Nyunt told AFP. Just hours later, parliament had to convene and expand its work for the first time since the elections.
123RF.com nuotr./Aung San Suu Kyi
“We have heard that they have been detained by the military … When the situation is what we are seeing now, we must assume that the military is giving a coup,” he said.
Late, the army declared a state of emergency on its television channel for a year.
In the former capital of the country, Yangon, which remains the commercial center of Myanmar, the soldiers occupied the mayor, reported an AFP reporter.
The Cayenne state prime minister and several other regional ministers were also arrested, party sources said.
The United States and Australia responded quickly to events in Myanmar, calling for the release of the detained NLD leaders and the restoration of democracy.
“The United States does not support any attempt to change the outcome of the recent elections or to impede Myanmar’s democratic transition and will take action against those responsible unless those steps are reversed,” said White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
Australia has stated that Myanmar’s military “is once again trying to take control of the country.”
“We urge the military to uphold the rule of law, resolve disputes through legitimate mechanisms and immediately release all civilian leaders and other illegally detained persons,” said Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has condemned the arrest of Myanmar’s leaders during a military coup.
These events are a severe blow to the democratic reforms in Myanmar, the UN spokesman said in a statement.
“The Secretary General strongly condemns the detention of State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other political leaders on the eve of the first session of Myanmar’s new parliament,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
“These events are a severe blow to the democratic reforms in Myanmar,” the statement said.
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