Min Aung Hlaing expected to retire as Commander-in-Chief; International Day of Action for Rivers in Karen State

Min Aung Hlaing expected to retire as Commander-in-Chief

Regime leader Min Aung Hlaing reviewed his term as Burma’s commander-in-chief from 2011-2025 during a speech in Naypyidaw on Friday. The 69-year-old Senior General assumed his position as Burma’s eighth commander-in-chief in 2011 during Thein Sein’s Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) administration. He led a military coup that overthrew the National League for Democracy (NLD) government on Feb. 1, 2021.

Regime media reported on March 14 that Min Aung Hlaing addressed high-ranking officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force, stating that the military will uphold its “duties of protecting the country and the constitution” no matter who controls the government. A source in the military told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the event was a “farewell,” as Min Aung Hlaing expected to retire from the military and assume the presidency.

Sources told DVB that the Chief of the Military Security Affairs Corps and the Burma Army Ye Win Oo, who is Min Aung Hlaing’s confidant, will become the next commander-in-chief. Soe Win, the deputy commander-in-chief, is also expected to retire from his position and assume a role in the new “Union Consultative Council.” Burma’s Pyithu Hluttaw, or lower house of parliament, will convene for the first time today since the 2021 coup.

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Kite enthusiast in Australia attempts world record for Myanmar

A former English teacher in Myanmar told DVB that he attempted to set a Guinness World Record for the “World’s Longest Individual Kite Flight” to raise funds for humanitarian work in Burma at Killarney Beach in Victoria, Australia, on Saturday. Angus Johnstone lived and worked in Yangon and Lashio, Shan State, from 2012-2019. He also worked as a volunteer teacher in 2011 for students from Burma in Mae Sot, Thailand.

“The purpose [was] to raise money for humanitarian aid in Myanmar and border areas, focusing on education and healthcare,” Angus Johnstone told DVB. “I will provide the funds through friends from Myanmar and trusted NGO organizations.” His GoFundMe campaign raised $15,187 AUD ($10,614 USD). “My love for kite flying and my love for Myanmar – I want to combine those two loves of my life,” he added.

Johnstone said to break the Guinness World Record for longest individual kite flight, he had to keep his kite airborne non-stop for at least 24 hours without sleep. He added that his friends assisted him with food, water, and other necessities. “Flying a kite like this is one way to help a little bit on the ground, but also to raise awareness and show solidarity with people in Myanmar who might feel forgotten,” he told DVB.