Myanmar’s military junta appoints new commander-in-chief

WorldPolitics
31 Mar 2026 • 10:11 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Myanmar's military junta has appointed Ye Win Oo, a longtime loyalist and former intelligence head, as the new commander-in-chief.
  • This appointment comes as junta leader Min Aung Hlaing prepares to assume the presidency, consolidating his influence while relinquishing direct control of the armed forces.
  • Ye Win Oo played a central role in the February 2021 coup, which toppled Aung San Suu Kyi's government and plunged the country into a civil war.
  • He is the first intelligence chief to lead Myanmar's military, with analysts attributing his rise to his close ties and patronage from Min Aung Hlaing.
  • Critics view the political transition and leadership reshuffle as a means to entrench military rule behind a civilian facade, though analysts expect continuity in the military's strategy.

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