Myanmar’s former junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has officially been sworn in as the country’s 11th president, marking a major consolidation of power following years of military rule.
The oath-taking ceremony took place on Friday during a session of the Union Parliament in Naypyidaw, according to reports from China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency.
Following the ceremony, Min Aung Hlaing addressed lawmakers in parliament after being formally installed in office.
He was elected earlier this month after securing a majority vote in parliament, in an election process widely regarded as heavily influenced by the military establishment.
The 69-year-old previously served as commander-in-chief of Myanmar’s armed forces, the Tatmadaw, from 2011 until stepping down in March to pursue the presidency.
Min Aung Hlaing has been the central figure in Myanmar’s political landscape since leading the 2021 military coup that removed the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Since then, the country has experienced prolonged political instability, armed resistance, and international condemnation.
Following years in power under military control, authorities organized a multi-phase election process beginning in late December, which ultimately produced a victory for pro-military parties, including the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
The newly constituted parliament held its first session on March 16, paving the way for the formal presidential election that resulted in Min Aung Hlaing’s ascent to the country’s top political office.
Observers say the development further entrenches military influence over Myanmar’s civilian governance structures, effectively blurring the line between military and civilian leadership.
Critics of the process have long argued that the political transition is tightly controlled by the military, raising concerns about democratic legitimacy and the future of civilian rule in the country.
Myanmar has remained under intense international scrutiny since the 2021 coup, with ongoing conflict, displacement, and human rights concerns shaping its political and humanitarian landscape.
