Min Aung Hlaing, inaugurated as president on Friday after being appointed by a pro-military parliament on April 3, said that his new government has many challenges to overcome and would seek to enhance international relations and normalise ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In his inauguration address to parliament, Min Aung Hlaing said peace and democracy was his priority, and his government would spur foreign investment, develop agriculture and form effective, long-term strategic plans.
Min Aung Hlaing was voted president by a pro-military parliament a week ago following highly controversial elections held from Dec. 28, 2025 to Jan. 28. He’s formalising his grip on political power in Myanmar five years after he led a coup that sent the nation spiraling into chaos.
His carefully choreographed journey from top military general to “civilian” president follows a landslide victory by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in the military’s polls, called a “sham” designed to perpetuate military rule behind a veneer of democracy.
The coup and ensuing crackdown under Min Aung Hlaing’s command led to an intervention by ASEAN, which later barred him and his military leadership from attending its summits.
“Myanmar is now well on its way toward democracy but the new government has a lot of challenges to overcome,” Min Aung Hlaing said in the speech in the capital Naypyidaw on April 10, which lasted less than 20 minutes and was attended by more than 50 foreign guests.
“The new government will implement a roadmap based on democracy and federalism … our priorities are democracy and peace.”
“We we will enhance international relations and strive to restore normal relations with ASEAN,” he later said.
REUTERS
