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Biden Says Myanmar Military Should Relinquish Power, Release Detainees

© REUTERS / STRINGERMyanmar Army armored vehicles drive in a street after the military seized power in a coup in Mandalay, Myanmar February 3, 2021.
Myanmar Army armored vehicles drive in a street after the military seized power in a coup in Mandalay, Myanmar February 3, 2021. - Sputnik International, 1920, 04.02.2021
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Myanmar recently made global headlines after the country's military seized power in a coup d'état and imposed a one-year state of emergency after the top brass alleged general elections were riddled with fraud.

US President Joe Biden called on military officials in Myanmar on Thursday to return power to democratically-elected officials after the armed forces seized control and accused officials of committing election fraud.

"There can be no doubt, in a democracy, force should never seek to overrule the will of the people or attempt to erase the outcome of a credible election," Biden said in his first major foreign policy speech.
"The Burmese [Myanmar] military should relinquish power they have seized, release the advocates, activists and officials they have detained, lift the restrictions on telecommunications, and refrain from violence."

Should Myanmar military officials refuse to fall in line, Biden warned that the US would "impose consequences on those responsible" for preventing the democratic will of the country's people.

Additionally, Biden indicated that he has been in "close" contact with American allies, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to address the Monday coup.

The newly sworn-in president's remarks came two days after the State Department officially recognized that the Myanmar military's detention of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint constituted a coup.

The designation prompts the US to curtail its assistance to the Myanmar government; however, humanitarian aid and programs to support civil society will continue.

The Monday coup unfolded a day before the country's parliament was expected to swear-in members elected during the 2020 general election, which saw an overwhelming majority of National League of Democracy candidates beat out the military-backed party.

© AP Photo / STRPeople clap to make noise as they participate in a civil disobedience action to protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2021. About 70 recently elected lawmakers defied the new military government on Thursday by convening a symbolic meeting of the Parliament that was prevented from opening. They signed their oaths of office at a government guesthouse in the capital, Naypyitaw, where about 400 of them were detained in the aftermath of the takeover.
Biden Says Myanmar Military Should Relinquish Power, Release Detainees - Sputnik International, 1920, 04.02.2021
People clap to make noise as they participate in a civil disobedience action to protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2021. About 70 recently elected lawmakers defied the new military government on Thursday by convening a symbolic meeting of the Parliament that was prevented from opening. They signed their oaths of office at a government guesthouse in the capital, Naypyitaw, where about 400 of them were detained in the aftermath of the takeover.

Echoing sentiments voiced during the contested US election, the Myanmar military promptly claimed that widespread irregularities on voter lists led to election fraud; however, the allegation was subsequently ruled out after officials determined that there was no evidence to support the claims.

The Myanmar military has since indicated that its action are legally justified since the country's constitution calls for military takeovers during times of emergency. Military officials cite the government's failure to thoroughly investigate the allegations as a reason for its takeover.

Both Suu Kyi and the Myanmar president are expected to remain in custody until at least February 15, NPR reported. The pair were detained along with a variety of top government officials. Most recently, authorities charged Suu Kyi with possessing illegally imported walkie-talkies in a move to give legal grounds for her detainment.

Myanmar was previously under military rule for multiple decades and only within the last 10 years began making progress toward democracy. At present, power of Myanmar has been handed to Min Aung Hlaing, who has served as the commander of the armed forces since 2011.

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