Myanmar's Military Junta Leader Officially Sworn in as President

Myanmar’s military junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, was officially sworn in as president on Friday (10/4) local time. With this inauguration, Min Aung Hlaing continues his governance from a civilian position about five years after seizing power in a military coup. Min Aung Hlaing, who previously served as the commander-in-chief of Myanmar’s Armed Forces, as reported by AFP on Friday (10/4/2026), toppled the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021. The Myanmar junta has detained Suu Kyi and triggered a civil war in the country. After half a decade of ruling by decree, Min Aung Hlaing organised an election that concluded in January, without involving his party, and secured a landslide victory for his military allies in civilian politics, supporting him to occupy the highest office. A lavish parliamentary ceremony in the sprawling capital of Naypyitaw witnessed the 69-year-old man taking the presidential oath, pledging to “strive to further advance the eternal principles of justice, freedom, and equality”. “I will dedicate myself to serving the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,” said Min Aung Hlaing, beginning his five-year term. Min Aung Hlaing resigned as Myanmar’s top general to take over the presidency in the new government, ahead of the Myanmar Thingyan holiday starting on Monday (6/4), which celebrates the new year with water-pouring ceremonies symbolising renewal and rejuvenation. However, democracy watchdog groups have derided the transition as an unconvincing attempt to rebrand military governance under a civilian guise. The Friday (10/4) ceremony was attended by representatives from neighbouring countries, such as China, India, and Thailand. An AFP reporter in Myanmar reported the presence of bomb disposal squads patrolling hotels in Naypyitaw ahead of the ceremony, with the parliament building “surrounded” by checkpoints. The Myanmar junta has touted the election as a return of power to the people and an opportunity for reconciliation in the civil war. However, more than two-thirds of the 30 ministers in Min Aung Hlaing’s government, who were also sworn in on Friday (10/4), are retirees or active military members. Analysts say one aim of the election was to normalise their image with a layer of legitimacy, to thaw foreign engagement, including investigative projects. Myanmar’s post-coup leaders are regarded as pariahs by many countries abroad.