Myanmar’s military rulers have ended martial law, lifting the state of emergency imposed after the 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government. Military leader Min Aung Hlaing announced the decision following a National Defense and Security Council meeting, pledging general elections in December to restore civilian rule.
The junta claims the move opens a path to democracy, but opposition groups doubt the elections will be fair. The military had seized power in February 2021, arresting Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) leaders, alleging fraud in the 2020 polls—a claim rejected by independent observers.
While the junta insists it has stabilized the country, critics question whether the vote will be free or if the military will retain control. The announcement comes after years of violent crackdowns on protests and armed resistance.
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