Myanmar Junta Boss Says Military Will Remain in Politics Until EAOs ‘Disappear’

Despite the upcoming election, which the generals hope will grant the junta a veneer of legitimacy, regime boss Min Aung Hlaing said the Myanmar military will “continue to play a leading role in politics until ethnic armed groups (EAOs) no longer exist.”

Speaking to officials, their families and cadets in Pyin Oo Lwin—home to the junta’s elite military academies—on Saturday, Min Aung Hlaing said the military would consider gradually reducing its presence in the parliament until the day comes when EAOs no longer exist.

In recent weeks, the coup leader has been busy attending military graduation ceremonies and meeting civil servants and police officers, using the opportunity to urge voters to support candidates with “defense-minded views” and who are “aligned” with the military, which he described as the country’s “strongest institution.”