Last night the Biden administration condemned a military coup happening in Burma (Myanmar), along with other countries, threatening to “take action against” those responsible for the coup if they didn’t relent:
So why is this coup happening? Here’s a short video that gives you the basics:
Here’s more from Fox News:
Burma’s military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. Here are some possible reasons why the military has taken over now:
THE CONSTITUTION
The announcement on military-owned Myawaddy TV cited Article 417 of the country’s constitution, which allows the military to take over in times of emergency. The announcer said the coronavirus crisis and the government’s failure to postpone November elections were reasons for the emergency.
The military drafted the constitution in 2008 and retains power under the charter at the expense of democratic, civilian rule. Human Rights Watch has described the clause as a “coup mechanism in waiting.”
The constitution also reserves key Cabinet ministries and 25% of the seats in Parliament for the military, a portion that limits the power of a civilian government and rules out amending the charter without military support.
THE ELECTIONS
In November elections, Suu Kyi’s party captured 396 out of 476 seats in the combined lower and upper houses of Parliament. The state Union Election Commission has confirmed that result.
But the military since shortly after the elections has claimed there were millions of irregularities in voter lists in 314 townships that could have let voters cast multiple ballots or commit other “voting malpractice.”
“But they haven’t really shown any proof of that,” Jolliffe said.
The election commission rejected the claims last week, stating there was no evidence to support them.
The military takeover came on what was to be the first day of the new Parliament following the elections.
Instead, Suu Kyi and other lawmakers who would have been sworn into office were reported detained.
A later announcement on Myawaddy TV said the military would hold an election after the one-year emergency ends and would turn over power to the winner.
I know the Biden administration is making threats, but I honestly don’t know what they would do to “take action against” the military of Burma. Biden is no Trump and I honestly don’t expect him to do anything that will make much difference in this situation.