This paragraph in Reuters’s report of the incoming election results sums up a few of the quirks (to put it mildly) of Myanmar’s historic election.
Advertisement
In a phone call, Obama commended Suu Kyi for “her tireless efforts and sacrifice over so many years” to promote a peaceful, democratic Myanmar, the White House said.
“He said America would continue cooperating with the Myanmar government”.
“He welcomed the successful conduct of the campaign and of the elections and congratulated Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi for her decisive role in the progress of democracy in Myanmar, which must be pursued”, said a statement from the mission.
The ruling military-backed Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) – which won the last, widely criticised election five years ago – has so far gained only 5% of the seats being contested in Myanmar, known as Burma.
Such unambiguous endorsement of Suu Kyi’s victory could smooth the post-election transition, ahead of the first session of parliament which reconvenes on Monday.
The army chief repeated his position to military top brass, vowing “co-operation with the new government during the post-election period”, according to a statement posted on his Facebook page today.
Despite the result categorically in favour of Suu Kyi, challenges remain. Still, she will need to work with the military and its allies because – aside from their reserved parliamentary seats – they will retain control of three key departments: Defense, Home and Border Security.
The interior ministry gives him control of the Southeast Asian nation’s pervasive bureaucracy, which could pose a significant obstacle to the NLD’s ability to execute policy.
Suu Kyi’s late husband was British.
“A people’s army should be hand-in-glove with the people”. Ms Suu Kyi won the vote even though she was under house arrest at the time.
The military-drafted constitution prohibits Suu Kyi from serving as president, but she has rankled the ruling party, which is the political arm of the military, by saying she would serve above the president.
The military government handed power to a semi-civilian government in 2011, but the army still dominates politics after decades in power. Ms Suu Kyi appealed for a meeting with the two men on Wednesday to ensure the “people’s will” is respected as the vote count dragged on.
She has made it clear she will run the country regardless of who the NLD elects as president.
The party says it has guided the country through the major economic and social reforms that led to Sunday’s election, which is believed to have seen a massive 80 percent voter turnout.
Advertisement
Due to a clause in the constitution, Suu Kyi can not become president.
