The coup launched by Myanmar’s military in the dawn hours Monday morning should have been no surprise. Unrest in the armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw, had been mounting since its political party was crushed in last November’s general elections.
Nevertheless, most of the world was taken aback by the move and the subsequent declaration of a state of emergency. Friends of Myanmar must denounce the coup and demand a return to democratic rule without delay.
Myanmar is well acquainted with military rule. The armed forces ruled the country from 1962 to 2011. A general election was held in 1990, but the military overturned a landslide win by democratic forces and retained power until another vote in 2010. This vote was won by the military-backed political party — amid widespread criticism that the election was rigged — and the junta was dissolved the following year to allow civilian rule (at least in form).