Myanmar’s military ruler Min Aung Hlaing has taken on a new title as prime minister of a newly formed caretaker government, state media reported.
Six months earlier, the army had seized power from the civilian government state.
The new caretaker government will replace the military-backed State Administration Council (SAC), chaired by Min Aung Hlaing, running Myanmar since February 1.
“In order to perform the country’s duties fast, easily and effectively, the state administration council has been reformed as the caretaker government of Myanmar,” a newsreader on state Myawaddy television said.
Earlier on Sunday, Min Aung Hlaing extended the military’s initial timeline when it deposed Aung San Suu Kyi six months ago. He announced that the elections would now be held and a state of emergency be lifted by August 2023.
As per a local monitoring group, the country has been in turmoil. More than 900 people have been killed in a crackdown against dissent since the army ousted the civilian leader in February.
On Sunday, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing said in a televised address, “I pledge to hold multiparty elections without fail.”
The announcement places Myanmar in the military’s grip for nearly two and a half years instead of the initial one year as per the junta announcement days after the coup.
The army has justified its power grab by alleging massive fraud during 2020 elections won by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. In addition, the military has threatened to dissolve the party.
Last week poll results were cancelled because the junta had uncovered over 11 million instances of voter fraud.
Suu Kyi has been detained since February 1 with many charges against her including, flouting of coronavirus restrictions to illegally importing walkie talkies.
