Five years after leading a coup to overthrow Myanmar’s elected government, former armed forces commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing is orchestrating a carefully crafted political transition: taking off his military uniform and preparing to rule the war-torn nation under the guise of a “civilian president.”
The 69-year-old Min Aung Hlaing’s career has been dramatic. Born into a Dawei family in central Myanmar, his father was once the director of the Arts Department at a teacher training college. The Dawei are one of the nine major subgroups of the Bamar people and possess a distinct cultural identity.
While studying law at university, Min Aung Hlaing only gained admission to the military academy after applying three times. Once enlisted, he steadily climbed the ranks, rising to prominence for leading offensives against ethnic armed groups on the China-Myanmar border.
In 2011, as Myanmar embarked on its “democratic transition,” Min Aung Hlaing simultaneously took control of the military. After a decade-long power struggle with the elected government, he launched a coup before his retirement in 2021—a move that triggered the fierce civil war ongoing today.
In fact, even before the coup, Min Aung Hlaing was infamous internationally for directing the 2017 military crackdown against the Rohingya minority. That campaign displaced around 750,000 Rohingya who fled to Bangladesh, sparking condemnation from multiple governments and human rights organizations.
To ensure a smooth transition of power and strengthen his political blueprint, Min Aung Hlaing has installed his trusted confidant, former military intelligence chief Ye Win Oo, as the new armed forces commander-in-chief.
The 60-year-old Ye Win Oo is widely viewed as Min Aung Hlaing’s “eyes and ears.” The two have known each other for over 20 years, with Ye Win Oo having served as a battalion commander under Min Aung Hlaing. Multiple sources indicate that it was Ye Win Oo himself who led the team that arrested State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on the day of the 2021 coup.
Nai Min Kan, a researcher from Myanmar’s Institute of Strategy and Policy, said: “Ye Win Oo is renowned for his absolute loyalty to Min Aung Hlaing. He will ensure the military continues to put Min Aung Hlaing’s personal interests first.”