Preparing the Coup in Myanmar: The Military's Strategy for Undermining the National League for Democracy Government

Abstract

Abstract: The military coup February 1, 2021, in Myanmar came as a surprise for many observers. This article argues that the Constitution of 2008 has the script for a future coup should the military lose power and control over civil society, state administration, and the political process. Since 2015, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has warned of the "disintegration of the main national causes" meaning that national unity, protection of race, and Buddhism, and the Tatmadaw's leading role was in danger. He constantly referred to the emergency clauses in the constitution. After 2015, Western media focused on the "democratic transition" but tended to overlook how the military undermined Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's government. Since 2017, they have blamed Daw Suu for the military's atrocities and eviction of the Rohingya. The article analyzes how the military network destabilized the civilian government, using examples from Karen State to illustrate that process.