Myanmar’s authoritarian military junta made way for a new government yesterday, ushering in a new era of civilian rule though one dominated by the same faces that have tightly controlled the secretive country for almost two decades.
The new parliament, packed with retired and serving soldiers, approved the dissolution of the powerful State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to make way for a new administration following a disputed election last November.
An announcement signed by paramount Burmese leader Senior General Than Shwe and read out on state television said lawmakers had approved a new president, two vice-presidents and 30 ministers that will rule for the next five years.
“It is hereby announced that the legislative power, jurisdiction power and administrative power being exercised by the State Peace and Development Council has been transferred to the Union level government,” the announcement read.
The historic handover of power after 49 years of direct military rule will be greeted with broad -skepticism by the international community and many of Myanmar’s estimated 50 million people, most of which have lived under a succession of army dictatorships.
Members of the SPDC, as the junta called itself, retained prominent roles in the new political system, with its former members taking posts as president, vice-president, parliament speakers, Cabinet ministers or chief ministers of most of the country’s 14 regions.
Than Shwe is expected to officially retire from the armed forces, but continue to wield considerable influence behind the scenes. Analysts say the formation of a new political system is more about his own exit strategy, placing his loyalists in all key posts to ensure his safety.
Experts say it is highly unlikely the impoverished people of the -resource-rich country will see any immediate political, economic or social reforms with the same generals, now retired, in control of the country, which has been ruined by trade sanctions and the military’s botched fiscal policies.
Pro-democracy forces in Myanmar have barely any role in the new system. Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, which boycotted last year’s election in protest, has no official role, but is expected to play a significant part in any future review of Western sanctions.
It has sought urgent talks with the new government about a bigger role for pro-democracy forces, the release of an estimated 2,100 political prisoners and a reconciliation process with armed ethnic groups.
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