Myanmar military takes control, world mulls response
For many, coup was a surprise
Monday s coup surprised many Myanmar experts and observers, along with most of the country s citizens.
Several hours before the raids on NLD leaders, the Tatmadaw had rejected reports from foreign embassies warning of an imminent coup, claiming that the embassies misunderstood the legal context.
From the military s point of view, their takeover was completely constitutional. The Tatmadaw claims, without evidence, that electoral fraud in November constitutes a threat to the country.
Two articles in Myanmar s constitution, which was passed in 2008 by the military, specify that the president can declare a one-year state of emergency if the national unity or sovereignty is threatened.
Myanmar's military has declared a state of emergency after arresting the country's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and several of her allies in an early morning raid.
Myanmar's military has declared a state of emergency after arresting the country's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and several of her allies in an early morning raid.
Myanmar coup: Germany condemns army takeover
The international community has criticized Monday s coup in Myanmar, urging the army to release all political leaders. Germany said the military s actions jeopardize progress made so far toward democratic change.
World leaders have condemned the apparent coup in Myanmar
Governments around the world have condemned Monday s coup in Myanmar, urging the military to respect the result of November s election and free jailed political leaders.
The army announced earlier that it had seized power and declared a one-year state of emergency, detaining key figures such as Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.
The Reuters news agency reported that mobile internet data connections and some phone services have been disrupted.
State broadcaster MRTV said its radio and television operations were off the air due to technical problems. Due to current communication difficulties we d like to respectfully inform you that the regular programmes of MRTV and Myanmar Radio cannot be broadcast, the company said on Facebook.
Since gaining independence from Britain in 1948, Myanmar has seen two previous coups in 1962 and 1988.
Romain Caillaud, an associate fellow with the Myanmar Studies Program at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, told DW that the military s actions overnight marked a huge setback 10 years after the start of the transition to democracy.