United States Voices its Concern over Myanmar Military Coup

United States has voiced its concern over the military coup in Myanmar. “The Myanmar military must reverse these actions immediately,” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stated. However, US did not specify what action it would take, should the military decline to withdraw their action.

Blinken added that: “The US stands with the people of Myanmar in their goals for freedom, democracy and development.” He further took swipe with the coup de tat, which America has perceived as a matter of “grave alarm and concern” to their interest.

White House Spokeswoman Jen Psaki stated that US was opposed to the attempt to alter the results of the November elections, which declared Sun Kyi as the winner. The military-backed party alleged that there were massive election irregularities.

US had been encouraging democracy in Myanmar. Washington approved Myanmar democracy in 2010, and six years later, United States under the leadership of Barack Obama lifted economic sanctions against Myanmar.

Myanmar army pledged new elections, after seizing power and detaining San Suu Kyi. Citizens objecting military coup protested the arrest of what they termed as ‘their democratically elected government.’ The protesters alleged that the transitional government had shut off television channels and phone services.

Nobel laureate San Suu Kyi was detained by the military along her fellow leaders of her National League for Democracy Party. The military termed the arrest as a response to ‘election fraud.’ Military Chief Min Aung Hlaing was handed power before he imposed a one-year state of emergence.