Junta Reshuffles Military-Appointed Security Ministers Across Seven Regions, Including Rakhine

Maung Sar Ga

Narinjara, 22 October 2026

The military junta’s Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced a major reshuffle of its military-appointed representatives, replacing the Ministers for Security and Border Affairs across seven regions and states, including conflict-torn Rakhine State.

The announcement, signed by UEC Chairman Than Soe, confirms that Colonel Zaw Lin Tun (Army 31682) has been appointed to replace Colonel Kyaw Thu Ya (Army 25775) as the Minister for Security and Border Affairs in the Rakhine State Hluttaw (parliament).

This critical administrative change comes amid intensifying clashes between the military and resistance forces near Sittwe, the state capital.

According to the UEC, the structural shake-up follows a formal notification submitted by the military's Commander-in-Chief. The replacements were executed in strict accordance with Section 33 of the Law on the Election of Region or State Hluttaws.

The reassignment targets the powerful Security and Border Affairs ministerial portfolios, positions explicitly reserved for military officers within regional governments. The reshuffle simultaneously affects seven areas:

This reshuffle replaces seven military-appointed representatives, who also serve as Ministers for Security and Border Affairs, across seven states and regions: Rakhine, Shan, Kayah, Sagaing, Magway, Mon, and Yangon.

The outgoing ministers served within regional and state cabinets previously appointed under the military-installed presidency. The newly designated military representatives are expected to officially take their oaths of office at their respective regional parliaments in the coming days.