Myanmar junta Acting President Myint Swe is unable to perform his duties as he is suffering from a neurological disorder, junta media reported on Thursday evening. The regime is closely monitoring his condition, which is not improving, they said.
Myint Swe is on medical leave until July 30 and receiving treatment at his home, according to a junta announcement.
He was appointed acting president following the junta’s arrest of the country’s civilian President U Win Myint on the first day of the coup on Feb. 1, 2021.
The announcement about the health of the acting president comes less than two weeks before the expiration of the current period of emergency rule, which the junta last extended in January.
The country’s constitution dictates that emergency rule can be extended at the discretion of the military-dominated National Defense and Security Council (NDSC), and that the council exercises sovereign power in the name of the president. Since the coup, the regime has exercised sovereign power in Myint Swe’s name as acting president.
As the regime has been struggling to combat a fierce anti-junta armed resistance movement across the country, it’s very likely that it will declare a sixth six-month extension of emergency rule.
It’s not clear whether Myint Swe will retain his position, or will need to be replaced due to his ill health.
Normally, Myanmar has two vice-presidents. But in April this year, Vice-President Henry Van Thio, who initially retained his position under the junta despite previously serving under the ousted National League for Democracy government, resigned from his post for “unspecified health reasons”.
The state of emergency was initially declared in February 2021 when the military ousted the democratically elected government of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Myanmar has been in chaos since then.
The country’s constitution states that a state of emergency can be declared for an initial period of one year and can “normally” be extended for a maximum of two half-year terms at the discretion of the military-dominated security council.
However, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in January 2023 extended the emergency for a third time, in breach of the constitution, citing the “extraordinary situation” in the country, referring to the armed resistance against the regime.
On Thursday, the regime said a special medical team led by junta Health Minister Dr. Thet Khaing Win examined Myint Swe on June 30 and July 14. His health had not improved over that time, and he is unable to feed himself or perform everyday tasks, according to junta media.
Myint Swe has suffered from peripheral neuropathy since early 2023, and had been treated for the disease at a specialty hospital in Singapore and at No. 2 Military Hospital in Naypyitaw as of June 18. He has also had cataract surgery performed on both eyes.
Even if Myint Swe cannot attend, the junta boss can still hold an NDSC meeting with Parliament Speaker T Khun Myat and three military-appointed ministers, observers said.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story mistakenly stated that Myint Swe is the acting vice president.
