Myanmar Spring Chronicle – Scenes from April 6
(MoeMaKa), April 7, 2026
Some countries and organizations send congratulatory messages to Min Aung Hlaing after becoming president
Min Aung Hlaing assumed the position of President on April 3 as a result of a parliamentary vote following the 2025/26 elections—elections that were arranged to produce a desired outcome. The parliament was convened and the vote was effectively pre-determined.
The presidency was decided by a military-controlled parliament dominated by the USDP (Union Solidarity and Development Party). The USDP, established during the former SPDC military regime, is led by retired generals in civilian attire and lacks a clear political ideology or policy direction, instead prioritizing the military above all else.
Although some media outlets have speculated about possible tensions or disagreements between the military and the USDP—given that a military leader has now taken the presidency through a USDP victory—there is, in reality, no visible sign of such divisions.
The Union Parliament’s decision on April 3 to appoint the 2021 coup leader as president can also be seen as the culmination of his ambitions. After serving in various roles over the five years since the coup—chairing committees and commissions, and holding positions such as Prime Minister and acting president—he has now attained the position he most desired: an elected presidency. However, despite achieving this goal, widespread international recognition and congratulatory diplomatic messages remain unlikely.
As of today, the countries that have sent congratulatory messages include China, Belarus, Nicaragua, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Governor of Saint Petersburg from the Russian Federation. Among ASEAN’s 11 countries, only Thailand and Cambodia have done so. Notably, India—despite maintaining practical relations with Myanmar’s military government—has not sent any such message.
Within Myanmar, some social and economic organizations have sent congratulatory messages, as has the United Wa State Party (UWSP), an ethnic armed group, shortly after the announcement. The UWSP operates autonomously in areas such as finance, administration, and defense, while refraining from conducting foreign relations independently of Myanmar’s central government.
The Wa authorities maintain a distant relationship with the central government, intervening only when their autonomous status is threatened. Their prompt congratulatory message to Min Aung Hlaing reflects this pragmatic stance.
As for domestic organizations publishing full-page congratulatory messages in state newspapers, these are widely understood to be motivated by a desire to maintain working relations under the military government, rather than genuine expressions of support.
In recent months—late 2025 to early 2026—the coup leader has managed to regain control over some previously lost territories. In this context, holding elections, forming a parliament, and assuming the presidency appears to be an effort to create a veneer of legitimacy. If international governments were to recognize this process, it could be considered a success of that strategy.
However, even days after the parliamentary vote, the number of countries offering formal recognition remains very limited. Some neighboring and ASEAN countries appear cautious, likely concerned that recognizing or congratulating the military leader could be seen as endorsing his rule.
At the same time, the coup leader continues military operations—including airstrikes and offensives—to regain territorial control, while ongoing human rights violations and war crimes persist. The country’s financial resources are also being increasingly drained by the continuation of the conflict.