Myanmar’s ruling military has prolonged its state of emergency for another six months, state media reported on Friday, just a day before the country marks four years since the coup that ended a decade of democratic progress.
The military takeover, which ousted the civilian government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, has fueled a nationwide conflict, with armed resistance groups clashing against junta forces in multiple regions.
Authorities claim they are preparing for national elections this year, though critics argue the process is a façade designed to entrench military control through political proxies.
“There are still more tasks to be done to hold the general election successfully. Especially for a free and fair election, stability and peace is still needed,” state-run MRTV stated via Telegram while announcing the extension of emergency powers.
No official date has been set for the vote, yet the military is pressing ahead with its election plans while struggling to maintain control. The country remains deeply unstable as resistance fighters, many of them part of a youth-led movement crushed by military crackdowns, continue their offensives against the junta.
The conflict has displaced an estimated three million people, worsening food shortages and leaving a third of the population reliant on humanitarian aid, according to United Nations figures. A UN special envoy has urged all sides to seek dialogue and move away from an approach that leaves no room for compromise.
Despite mounting challenges, including an economy in disarray and political restrictions that have sidelined key opposition parties, military leaders remain determined to hold the election.
Anti-junta groups have vowed to sabotage the process, urging the global community to reject the outcome, arguing that any vote under military rule cannot reflect the people’s will.
