INSIGHTi
Coup in Burma (Myanmar): Issues for U.S.
Policy
Updated March 4, 2021
On February 1, 2021, Burma’s military, known as the Tatmadaw, seized control of Burma’s Union
Government and detained State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi (the country’s de facto civilian leader) and
members of her political party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). The NLD had won
parliamentary elections held in November 2020, and the coup came as the country’s Union Parliament
was preparing for its initial session.
Figure 1. Burma’s Political Transition: 2008–February 2021
Source: CRS.
The military’s action was widely condemned internationally as a blow to Burma’s partial transition from
military rule to democracy. The Biden Administration has redirected some U.S. assistance to Burma, as
required by law, and imposed sanctions against the coup’s leaders. Any U.S. effort to coordinate a
multilateral response to events in Burma may be complicated by the reluctance of many of Burma’s
neighbors to take sharp action against their neighbor.
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Why did the military stage a coup?
In statements following the coup, acting President Myint Swe and the Tatmadaw claimed that they had
evidence of parliamentary election fraud perpetrated by the NLD and Burma’s Union Election
Commission (UEC). According to the Tatmadaw, it acted in accordance with the 2008 constitution to
protect democracy in Burma, to prevent an illegitimate Union Parliament taking office. Several
independent election monitoring organizations in Burma, however, indicated that the electoral process and
outcome were credible despite minor irregularities.
Other sources posit that the coup occurred after the military’s Commander in Chief, Senior General Min
Aung Hlaing, failed to convince Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD to select him as the next President.
Under the 2008 constitution, the president is appointed by the Union Parliament. The NLD’s victory in
the parliamentary elections made his selection as President unlikely.
Figure 2. Map of Burma
Source: CRS.
Who is in control of Burma?
The Tatmadaw has effectively taken over the Union Government. The administrative capital, Nay Pyi
Taw, is under Tatmadaw control, as are most regional capitals. Tatmadaw soldiers and Myanmar Police
officers are patrolling the streets of Yangon (Rangoon) and other major cities. Over 1,100 have been
arrested since the coup, and more than 55 have been killed. Internet connectivity is being shut down
between the hours of 1:00am and 9:00am.
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The Tatmadaw has appointed a State Administrative Council, chaired by Min Aung Hlaing, to govern
until new elections are held. The Tatmadaw said new elections will be held in a year, after changes are
made in the 2008 constitution and the Union Election Commission.
What has been the reaction in Burma?
An informal, leaderless civil disobedience movement (CDM) has emerged based on existing civil society
organizations and utilizing social media to coordinate opposition to the coup. Peaceful demonstrations,
dubbed the “22222 Popular Uprising,” reportedly have arisen across the country, including in ethnic
minority areas. The CDM staged a general strike on February 22, and called for the imposition of
economic sanctions on the coup leaders and military-controlled businesses. Small numbers of police
officers reportedly have joined the CDM or fled to India, several diplomats at Burma’s Washington, DC,
Embassy have issued a statement of support, and Burma’s U.N. Permanent Representative has called on
the international community to use “any means necessary” to oppose the coup. Some ethnic armed
organizations (EAOs) have issued statements opposing the coup.
How has the Biden Administration responded?
On February 1, President Biden called for nations around the world to unite in support of defending
Burma’s democracy. On February 2, the State Department announced that the recent events constituted a
“coup d’état” under §7008 of annual foreign aid appropriations measures (most recently, Division K of
P.L. 116-260), triggering certain restrictions on U.S. aid to the government. (See CRS In Focus IF11267,
Coup-Related Restrictions in U.S. Foreign Aid Appropriations.)
On February 10, President Biden announced sanctions against Burmese “military leaders who directed the
coup, their business interests, as well as close family members.” The President signed Executive Order
(E.O.) 14014 on the same day, authorizing new sanctions and export-control restrictions on Burma, in
addition to “freezing U.S. assets that benefit the Burmese government” in the amount of roughly $1
billion dollars. President Biden also announced that the United States would maintain its “support for
healthcare, civil society groups, and other areas that benefit the people of Burma directly.” On February
11, the United States Agency for International Development announced that it immediately redirected
$42.4 million of assistance towards programs “to support and strengthen civil society.”
Pursuant to E.O. 14014, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that it was “designating 10
current and former military officials responsible for the February 1 coup or associated with the Burmese
military regime.” Additionally, E.O. 14014 designated three entities operating in Burma’s gem industry
that are “owned or controlled by” the Tatmadaw. Subsequently, the Treasury Department designated two
more military officials on February 22.
On March 1, U.S. Representative to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged the international
community to “ramp up pressure” on the military regime and called for “intense discussions” at the U.N.
Security Council (UNSC).
How have other governments responded?
On February 1, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres “strongly condemn[ed]” the military’s actions,
which “represent a serious blow to democratic reforms in Myanmar.” The UNSC issued a statement on
February 4 that “stressed the need to uphold democratic institutions and processes, refrain from violence,
and fully respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law,” and called for the release of
Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD colleagues.
In a February 23 statement, G-7 Foreign Ministers said they “firmly condemn violence committed by
Myanmar security forces against peaceful protestors.” Following a March 2 meeting of Foreign Ministers
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of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Burma is a member, officials urged a halt to
violence, but the group reportedly remained divided on further responses.
China’s Ambassador to Burma said on February 15 that Beijing maintains “friendly relations” with both
the Tatmadaw and the NLD, and that the coup is “absolutely not what China wants to see.”
Author Information
Ben Dolven
Kirt Smith
Specialist in Asian Affairs
Research Assistant
Disclaimer
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