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Burma: demonstration of force by the junta for the 75th anniversary of independence

2023-01-04T05:41:06.062Z


Tanks, missile launchers and armored vehicles roamed the streets of Naypyidaw, the capital established by the military, on Wednesday.


Myanmar troops marched through the streets of Naypyidaw, the military-established capital, on Wednesday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the former British colony's independence, days after ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison.

At dawn, tanks, missile launchers and other armored vehicles roamed the streets of the capital, AFP correspondents noted, kicking off a military parade.

Government officials and high school students followed the troops, accompanied by a military band, while 750 "

peace

" doves were released to mark the occasion, according to state media.

“Imposture”, according to Washington

In a speech to troops, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing accused countries, without naming them, of "

intervening in Burma's internal affairs

" since the February 2021 coup. He also explained that the army was currently meeting with political parties to discuss "

the organization of elections with the system of proportional representation

", without giving further details.

The Burmese junta, which recently concluded a series of closed trials against Aung San Suu Kyi, is preparing for new elections later this year, which have already been called a "

sham

" by the United States.

Experts say the junta could abandon the first-past-the-post system by which Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), won landslide majorities in 2015 and 2020.

Read alsoDr Sasa: ​​“Burma, like Ukraine, is fighting for democracy and peace”

Russian President Vladimir Putin, a close ally and arms supplier to the Burmese military junta, sent his "

heartfelt greetings

" and predicted the "

future development

" of their relationship.

Isolated from the rest of the world, the Burmese junta deemed

Moscow's invasion of Ukraine "

justified ".

Much of this Southeast Asian country has been plagued since the coup by clashes between the junta and local militias who have taken up arms against the military.

Previously, Myanmar's National Day was marked by many festive gatherings in parks and public spaces across the country.

But since the 2021 military coup, public holiday celebrations have been greatly reduced, with residents staying at their homes in protest against the junta.

AFP correspondents have seen tighter security in the country's commercial heartland, the city of Yangon, which has been hit by a series of bomb attacks in recent months.

The US Embassy warned on Wednesday of a "

potential increase in attacks, targeted fire or explosions

".

extremist monk

Ahead of the 75th anniversary of Burma's independence, the junta awarded hundreds of prizes and medals to its supporters, including an extremist monk known for his role in inciting religious hatred in the country, especially towards the Rohingyas.

Ashin Wirathu, whom the American weekly

Time

had dubbed "

the Buddhist bin Laden

" following deadly communal riots, was awarded the title of "

Thiri Pyanchi

" on Tuesday for his "

exceptional work for the good of Union of Burma

.

After being imprisoned by the government of Aung San Suu Kyi for “

seditious speech

”, Ashin Wirathu was released by the military junta, which dropped all charges against him.

At the time, the army justified its 2021 coup by claiming to have discovered millions of irregular ballots during the last vote, considered generally free by international observers.

Read the fileDust of empire: world tour of the vestiges of colonial history

A former British colony, Burma declared its independence on January 4, 1948 after a long struggle led by General Aung San, Aung San Suu Kyi's father.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2023-01-04

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