Myint Swe, President of Myanmar’s Junta Era, Passes Away at 74
Myint Swe, the former president of Myanmar during the coup, passed away at the age of 74 one year after resigning due to health concerns.
According to MRTV, the state broadcaster, Myint Swe, a retired general who was elected president of Myanmar in a military coup in 2021, passed away on Thursday at the age of 74. He died in the hospital Thursday morning, one year after he was placed on medical leave.
After the arrest of then-incumbent Win Myint and de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, 2021, Myint Swe, a pivotal actor in the military’s power grab, took over the mostly ceremonial presidency. Since then, both have stayed in custody as the nation has become even more unstable.
The military commander-in-chief, Min Aung Hlaing, was given complete authority at the time of the coup by Myint Swe, who was vice president of the quasi-civilian government at the time. His contribution to providing the military regime with a legal front to defend its rule over Myanmar was crucial.
The country in Southeast Asia has been engulfed in civil conflict since the coup, with armed resistance groups opposing military control in several areas. The junta continues to refute accusations that it has committed massive atrocities and violations of human rights.
Myint Swe’s duties were officially passed to Min Aung Hlaing in July 2024 after he was placed on medical leave. A new interim civilian-led government was supposed to take control from the junta just last week, ahead of scheduled elections. As acting president and head of the military, Min Aung Hlaing is still in firm charge, though.
The generals who planned the 2021 coup still have sway over Myanmar’s political and military establishment, and Myint Swe’s passing comes amid continued instability in the country.
