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The military cites Article 417 of the country’s constitution, which allows them to take power in times of emergency. The coronavirus crisis and the government’s failure to postpone elections last November are the reasons for the emergency.
Read: Myanmar Military Coup Protests, Thousands Crowded the streets of Yangon
The military drafted the constitution in 2008 and retains power under the charter at the expense of democratic civilian rule. Human Rights Watch described the clause as a “pending coup mechanism”.
The constitution also provides the military with key Cabinet ministries and 25 percent of seats in Parliament, a section that limits the powers of a civilian government and excludes charter changes without military support.
Some experts express confusion as to why the military would disrupt their strong status quo. Some observers think there are internal political problems within the Myanmar military, especially after Min Aung Hlaing announced his retirement from the military, even though he eventually led the coup.
“There is an internal military politics around it, which is very unclear. It may reflect that dynamic and perhaps some sort of internal coup and the way it maintains power in the military, “explained Kim Jolliffe, a researcher in Myanmar’s civil and military relations.
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