Extension of state of emergency brings no significant change: U Pe Than

 The military junta has recently extended the state of emergency for another six months due to unusual circumstances in Myanmar. However, Rakhine veteran politician U Pe Than remarked that the situation in the country is unlikely to change soon.

Pe Than, while talking to  Narinjara News, said that the junta seized political power through unfair means and now  aims to maintain power for their own interest. The constitution has been formulated and drafted in a way that would facilitate this. However, stability has worsened in the last six months compared to the previous period. The next six months are expected to be more challenging for the junta, he added.

In extending the state of emergency, the junta chief senior general Min Aung Hlaing emphasized on bringing stability and normalcy to the country and highlighting the necessity of holding elections and also conducting a national census.

"As the military junta cannot relinquish power immediately and they are aware of the challenges to be developed after their departure. So they have extended the state of emergency. Despite the junta's claim for working towards holding the elections, the situation in Myanmar is very far from reaching a stable and peaceful state which may be conducive to conducting elections," commented Pe Than.

On 31 January, on the eve of the third  anniversary of the military coup, the military council held a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) and later announced the extension of the state of emergency in accordance with article 425 of the Constitution.