By Hafizur Rahman
July 31, 2025. Naypyidaw
In a move widely condemned as a power grab, Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing has appointed himself as the country’s Acting President, while formally dissolving the State Administration Council (SAC)—the junta’s ruling body since the 2021 coup.
The announcement came following a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) on July 31. Hlaing declared the formation of a new governing body called the National Security and Peace Commission, which he now chairs. The military claims the commission will oversee the country’s transition to elections within six months.
Critics and analysts argue, however, that this is merely a rebranding of authoritarian rule. “This is not a handover of power—it’s a reshuffle designed to consolidate control,” said one Yangon-based political observer who requested anonymity for safety reasons.
Military Remains in Control Despite “Transition” Talk
Under the new arrangement:
- Min Aung Hlaing retains his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
- Former general Nyo Saw has been appointed Prime Minister
- Soe Win, a close military ally, becomes Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Deputy Chairman of the new commission
General Zaw Min Tun, speaking at the NDSC meeting, announced that the state of emergency has officially been lifted. However, all three branches of government—legislative, executive, and judicial—will now temporarily remain under NDSC control until a new president is “elected” and a civilian government formed.
He added that “the transfer of state power to the Commander-in-Chief has been canceled,” and that the commission would oversee the formation of a new government and the legal dissolution of the SAC.
Implications for Human Rights and Rohingya Communities
While the junta is presenting the move as a step toward democracy, rights groups remain deeply skeptical. Since the February 2021 coup, the military has presided over mass atrocities, airstrikes on civilian areas, suppression of dissent, and the continued persecution of ethnic minorities, especially the Rohingya.
Under Min Aung Hlaing’s command, Rohingya communities in Rakhine State have faced renewed waves of violence, particularly from the Arakan Army (AA), often with little to no protection from state forces. Over 800,000 Rohingya remain stateless in Bangladesh, while thousands more live in IDP camps under appalling conditions inside Myanmar.
Observers fear that the junta’s internal restructuring may provide diplomatic cover for further crackdowns, while delaying genuine political reform or justice for victims of military violence.
A Dangerous Game of Appearances
Many political analysts view this latest maneuver as an attempt to placate international pressure by replacing the notorious SAC with a new administrative label, while power remains firmly in the hands of the same military elite.
Despite rhetoric about elections and peace, the regime has provided no clear roadmap, and no guarantees of inclusivity, safety, or legitimacy for any future polls.
