Myanmar’s military has detained the country’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi in an apparent coup and declared that it’s taking control of the country for one year under state of emergency.
Suu Kyi and the country’s president were detained in the capital Naypyidaw after weeks of rising tensions between the military and the civilian government over allegations of fraud in November’s elections.
In the hours after the arrests, communications networks in the country were restricted, with several mobile phone networks down.
Reacting to the developments in Myanmar, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said that India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition.
“We have noted the developments in Myanmar with deep concern. India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar. We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld. We are monitoring the situation closely,” the MEA said in a statement.
“The United States is alarmed by reports that the Burmese military has taken steps to undermine the country’s democratic transition, including the arrest of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian officials in Burma,” White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement.
Psaki said President Biden has been briefed by National Security.
“The United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition, and will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed,” she said.
The Australian government expressed “deep concerns” over the recent development unfolding in Myanmar.
“The Australian Government is deeply concerned at reports the Myanmar military is once again seeking to seize control of Myanmar and has detained State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint,” Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement.
“Australia is a long-standing supporter of Myanmar and its democratic transition. We call on the military to respect the rule of law, to resolve disputes through lawful mechanisms and to release immediately all civilian leaders and others who have been detained unlawfully,” the statement said.
“We strongly support the peaceful reconvening of the National Assembly, consistent with the results of the November 2020 general election,” it said.
