Myanmar’s figurehead president who got here to energy after a 2021 coup, Myint Swe, has died, the South East Asian nation’s navy leaders stated. He was 74.
Earlier than his dying, Myint Swe had been on medical depart for over a yr because of declining well being.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has been performing Myint Swe’s largely ceremonial duties since July 2024.
The nation’s junta named Myint Swe performing president after it overthrew the civilian authorities led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
He died in a hospital within the capital Nay Pyi Taw at 08:28 native time (02:58 GMT) Thursday because of “neurodegenerative illnesses and associated neurological problems”, the junta stated.
A state funeral has been scheduled for Myint Swe, it stated.
As performing president, he endorsed a number of extensions to the nation’s state of emergency.
On Wednesday, the state-run International New Mild of Myanmar newspaper revealed a junta assertion saying that Myint Swe was in a “crucial situation”, after he “skilled weight reduction, lack of urge for food, fever, and a decline in cognitive perform” in July.
In early 2023 Myint Swe “started experiencing sluggishness in motion and the flexibility to devour meals and vitamins”, the assertion stated.
It added that he acquired remedy in Singapore in April 2024 and went on medical depart in July 2024.
Myanmar has been in turmoil for the reason that 2021 coup, with a civil conflict persisting between junta forces and ethnic armed teams.
Min Aung Hlaing introduced in March that the nation would maintain a nationwide election in December 2025 or January 2026 – the primary vote for the reason that junta seized energy within the coup.
However critics say the election is a sham designed to keep up the junta’s energy by proxy political events.
Final week, Myanmar’s junta ended the state of emergency and transferred energy to an interim authorities to pave the way in which for the election.
However Min Aung Hlaing, who stays the performing president and navy chief, retains de facto management over the nation’s management.
