Coup Leader Min Aung Hlaing’s Speech to the Military Riddled with Factual Inaccuracies
March 28, 2026 | Burma Independent Voice (Fact Check)
During the military parade held on March 27, 2026, coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech defending the 2021 coup as being in accordance with the law. He further claimed that the recent election was a success and insisted that the military is actively implementing democracy.
BIV has fact-checked several of the coup leader’s claims, finding them to be inconsistent with the reality on the ground.
Claim 1: The 2021 Coup followed the Constitution to protect Democracy
Coup Leader’s Statement: “On February 1, 2021, the military temporarily assumed state responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution. This was undertaken as a duty to safeguard the multi-party democratic system desired by the people.”
Fact Check: This is false. Legal experts and the international community have pointed out that the February 1, 2021, coup was a violent seizure of power from a civilian government elected by the people. This act violated the provisions of the military-drafted 2008 Constitution. Following the coup, the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters effectively destroyed the country’s democratic path.
While anti-coup resistance began with non-violent protests, the military responded with live ammunition, mass arrests, and killings. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), at least 543 civilians were killed within the first two months of the coup alone.
The deadliest day for civilians occurred exactly five years ago today, on March 27, 2021. On that day, military forces opened fire on protesters across more than 40 cities nationwide, resulting in the deaths of approximately 100 civilians in a single day.
Claim 2: Legality regarding the 2020 Election “Fraud”
Coup Leader’s Statement: “Due to the severe electoral fraud committed by the NLD government in the 2020 election, the elected representatives lacked legal standing. Therefore, the military had to assume state responsibilities on February 1, 2021, in accordance with the Constitution.”
Fact Check: This is entirely contradictory to the truth. Domestic and international election monitoring groups confirmed that the 2020 election reflected the will of the people. On January 29, 2021, monitoring groups issued a joint statement noting that while there were administrative weaknesses due to the legal framework and COVID-19 restrictions, the results remained a true reflection of the majority’s will.
Under the 2008 Constitution, only the President has the authority to declare a state of emergency to transfer power. The military’s illegal detention of President U Win Myint prior to seizing power invalidates any claim of constitutional legality. Furthermore, Section 402 of the 2008 Constitution mandates that the decisions of the Union Election Commission (UEC) regarding electoral matters are final and conclusive, granting the military no authority to intervene.
Claim 3: The Success of the 2025 Election
Coup Leader’s Statement: “We have successfully held the election as promised.”
Fact Check: This contradicts the facts. The military-led 2025 election could only open polling stations in 263 out of the country’s 330+ townships. Many citizens lost their right to vote due to ongoing conflict. Even in participating townships, the military failed to provide total coverage.
The UN, U.S., and EU have labeled the election a “sham” and refused to recognize the results, citing the exclusion and imprisonment of leaders and members of the 2020-winning party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).
Claim 4: The Military as the “Mother and Father” of the People
Coup Leader’s Statement: “The military regards the people as its own parents in all its undertakings.”
Fact Check: Data shows the exact opposite. Between 2021 and 2026, Data for Myanmar records show that over 119,411 civilian homes were destroyed by military airstrikes, artillery fire, and arson. As of March 26, 2026, AAPP reports that 7,952 people have been killed by the military and its affiliates.
The Blood Money Campaign (BMC) reported on March 27 that 4,299 civilians, including newborns, died due to military airstrikes alone over the past five years. The military reportedly carried out 6,986 airstrikes between 2021 and March 19, 2026.
Claim 5: Peace through the Union Accord
Coup Leader’s Statement: “We will work toward amendments by submitting the Union Accords gathered from previous peace conferences to the Union Parliament.”
Fact Check: This is mere propaganda. While speaking of peace, the military continues intensive operations against Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and PDF forces, labeling them “terrorists.” Observers note that the few groups negotiating with the military do not represent the actual forces fighting on the ground. Key signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), such as the KNU, ABSDF, and CNF, have declared the NCA void due to the coup and are actively engaged in armed struggle against the military.
Claim 6: Allegations of Transnational Crime against Resistance Forces
Coup Leader’s Statement: “Terrorists using federalism and democracy as excuses to maintain armed struggle are funding themselves through drug trafficking, online scams (Kyat-Phant), and transnational crimes.”
Fact Check: This is a reversal of the truth. Evidence shows that online scam operations flourished primarily in areas controlled by military-affiliated Border Guard Forces (BGF). In the Kokang region (Laukkaing), scam centers operated under the direct protection of military-appointed administrative members and militia leaders (e.g., Ming Xuechang and Wei San).
During Operation 1027 in late 2023, after the Brotherhood Alliance captured Laukkaing, they arrested scam ringleaders and extradited them to China. Many of those arrested were former Kokang officials decorated by the coup leader. Currently, major scam hubs like “Shwe Kokko” in Myawaddy remain under the control of Saw Chit Thu’s BGF (now KNA), which operates under the military’s shadow without effective legal action from the junta.
International reports emphasize that the breakdown of the rule of law and junta corruption since the coup are the primary drivers behind the surge in transnational crime in Myanmar.
Conclusion: Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s speech on the 81st Armed Forces Day serves only to present a facade of legitimacy for his coup and to spread propaganda regarding his sham election.
