The military in Myanmar seized control of the country after it detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other senior officials of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

This comes after escalated tensions between the government and the army that erupted after the disputed November 2020 general elections.

AUNG SAN SUU KYI detained
AUNG SAN SUU KYI

What next? 

The state power will now be handed over to Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Min Aung Hlaing, according to a declaration signed by First Vice President U Myint Swe, who is currently serving as the Acting President.

"I received internal reports about our state counsellor and the president being taken by the military. As far as I was informed, Shan State's Planning and Finance Minister U Soe Nyunt Lwin, Kayah state's NLD chairman Thaung Htay and some NLD representatives of the Ayeyarwady region's Parliament have been detained," regarding the detentions, Myo Nyunt, spokesperson of the NLD said. 

Aung Saan Suu Kyi
ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2018 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi looks on at the Leaders Plenary on March 18, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2018 aims to further deepen economic cooperation, political dialogue and strengthen regional security. It is the first time Australia has hosted the summit with ASEAN leaders in AustraliaMark Metcalfe/Getty Images [Representational Image]

"Two members of the Central Executive Committee of the party were taken and I am also waiting to be detained as I was informed by our members that my turn will come shortly."

The state-run Radio and Television (MRTV) has also stopped operations. Telecommunications in the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw and some other regions and states are also being cut off. Mobile internet data connections and some phone services have been disrupted in major cities.

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