In a significant moment that underscores the military’s continued grip on power in Myanmar, the man who led the 2021 coup against the country’s democratically elected government, Min Aung Hlaing, has appeared at what is being billed as his final military parade ahead of his formal swearing-in as the nation’s next president.
The parade, held on a sprawling ceremonial ground in the capital Naypyidaw, brought together thousands of uniformed military personnel, armored vehicles, and military aircraft in a display of force organized to project unity and authority to both domestic audiences and the international community. The event comes years after Min Aung Hlaing led the military’s seizure of power in February 2021, ousting the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and plunging the country into a protracted period of political instability, armed conflict with ethnic and pro-democracy militias, and deep economic hardship that has impacted millions of ordinary citizens.
For years following the coup, Min Aung Hlaing has served as the head of Myanmar’s ruling State Administration Council, acting as the de facto leader of the country while holding the formal position of prime minister. The move to elevate him to the presidency has long been expected by political analysts, who frame it as a calculated step to legitimize the military’s rule through a nominal civilian structure, even as most of the international community continues to refuse recognition of the military-led government.
Widely sanctioned by Western governments and the United Nations over his role in the coup and the subsequent crackdown on opposition, the 67-year-old former military chief has maintained a firm grip on the country’s state institutions, despite ongoing challenges from pro-democracy resistance groups that have gained ground in many border regions in recent years. As he prepares to take on the presidential title, analysts note that the parade served not just as a ceremonial send-off for his current military role, but also as a demonstration that the armed forces remain the ultimate center of power in Myanmar, regardless of formal political titles.
The event has drawn renewed attention to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, where human rights groups have documented widespread abuses against civilians by military forces, and millions of people have been displaced by conflict since the 2021 takeover. The international community has largely remained firm in its rejection of the military’s seizure of power, with most countries continuing to recognize the ousted National Unity Government as the legitimate representative of the Myanmar people.