United Nations Secretary-General's special envoy on Myanmar condemns military coup

United Nations Secretary-General's special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgen has condemned the military coup in the Southeast Asian country. The UN Security Council held closed consultations on Myanmar yesterday. 

In her briefing to Council members, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy described the recent steps taken by the military as shocking. She also urged Council members to collectively send a clear signal in support of an elected government in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, the US State Department has said that the Biden Administration is in constant touch with like-minded allies in the region including India and Japan. The US has threatened to reinstate sanctions and review of US assistance to Myanmar after the military



coup.

US President Joe Biden and senior US officials had earlier condemned the military takeover that took place on Monday morning. Biden had said that the military's seizure of power, the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian officials, and the declaration of a national emergency are a direct assault on the country's transition to democracy and the rule of law.

Myanmar's military launched the coup on Monday morning and detained State Counsellor Aun Sang Suu Kyi and President Win Myint and other National League for Democracy (NLD) leaders.The military has announced a one-year state of emergency and vowed to take action against alleged voter fraud during the November 8 general election. Suu Kyi's NLD party won the election.