After weeks of growing concern and speculation about a possible coup in Myanmar, the country's military -- the Tatmadaw -- finally did it. With the putsch led by the armed forces' commander-in-chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar has effectively returned to repressive military rule, ending its process of democratisation.
According to reports yesterday, the military conducted a pre-dawn raid and detained the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, along with other leaders of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party. Vice President Myint Swe, a former army general and close ally of ex-junta leader Than Shwe, was then appointed as acting president.
The military cited "grave errors" in the Nov 8 election -- in which the NLD won more than 80% of the vote to capture 396 out of the 476 seats in both houses of parliament -- as the reason for the putsch.
It was only Myanmar's second election after it emerged from military rule that lasted nearly 50 years.
The military disputed the poll results even though the Union Election Commission was adamant that the allegations were false.
Previously, some critics had noted that while the Nov 8 polls, which took place amid a surge of novel coronavirus cases in Myanmar, may have had flaws, but its results were legitimate.
The Tatmadaw has tried to convince that its seizure of power wasn't a coup, citing a clause in the country's 2008 constitution which was drafted and implemented under military rule. It also promised a fresh election in one year. However, if this wasn't a coup, then what was it?
The clause in the charter states in case of a national emergency, the president, in conjunction with the military-dominated National Defence and Security Council, can issue an emergency decree to hand over the government's executive, legislative and judicial functions to the military's commander-in-chief. It is worth noting that the same charter bars Ms Suu Kyi from becoming president, despite her poll successes in 2015.
"The Lady" -- as Ms Suu Kyi is known -- assumed leadership of the country under the newly created role of "state counsellor".
Prior to yesterday's power grab, both sides had engaged in a protracted power struggle to settle the election dispute at the negotiating table. Unfortunately, these efforts proved futile.
Before the early morning raid, Ms Suu Kyi issued a pre-emptive statement calling on the people to "not to accept a coup", according to a post on the NLD's chairperson's official Facebook page.
The move has drawn global condemnation, with the United States and other democracies stepping up calls to restore democratic rule in Myanmar. Asean, meanwhile, is trapped by its principle of "non-interference", while China's concerns were carefully worded.
Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing should listen.
While under authoritarian rule between 1962-2011, Myanmar experienced losses for decades because of international sanctions. The country, despite being abundant in natural resources, lagged behind most of its Asean neighbours in term of socio-economic development. Yesterday's unfortunate move brought back memories of those times.
The strongman should avoid actions which could trigger sanctions, as it will only lead the country and its people back into hardship. Instead, he must free Ms Suu Kyi and others, guarantee their safety, and set up a dialogue, so Myanmar can finally move on.