7/26/2019 ENAC Briefing No. 15 "NLD CONTROL CONSOLIDATED, EFFECTIVENESS YET TO BE DETERMINED" .

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Ethnic Nationalities Affairs Center | www.burmaenac.org

NLDCONTROLCONSOLIDATED,EFFECTIVENESS YET TO BEDETERMINED

ENAC Briefing No. 155 April 2016

In the November 2015 elections, Aung San Suu Kyi led the National League for Democracy (NLD) to a

sweeping victory in Burma. As of last week, the transition from the Thein Sein government to the NLD-led

government was finalized when longtime Suu Kyi confidante, Htin Kyaw took the presidential oath of office.

But this was only the beginning of NLDs attempt to consolidate power in a political system that highly

favors the military, which seized power in 1962.

Suu Kyi stated soon after the elections that she would still operate as the true leader of Burma, despite being

barred from the presidency by the nondemocratic military constitution of 2008. Gradually, Suu Kyis official

capacity in the new government has become clearer in recent weeks. In late March, the NLD chairwoman

was first nominated and confirmed as the cabinet minister for four different portfolios: foreign affairs, the

Presidents office, education, and electric power and energy. As of April 4th

, Suu Kyi renounced the

ministerial positions for education and for energy.

As the sole Minister of the Presidents Office, a newly consolidated position replacing six ministers, Suu Kyi

serves as the official gatekeeper to Htin Kyaw and the presidency, thereby legitimizing her intimate

involvement in presidential matters. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, she serves on the powerful National

Defence and Security Council, enabling her to influence decisions concerning security and defense issues

and engage with Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Finally, Suu Kyis predominance is

cemented with the novel position of state counselor. A special bill specifically appointing her to this

position was the first legislative initiative of the new government.

The unprecedented role of the state counselor, according to the bill currently being considered, will be to

help multi-party democracy flourish, to generate a vibrant market economy, to establish a federal Union and

to spur peace and development in the Union. Upon her confirmation as state counselor, Suu Kyi will be

officially and legitimately empowered to act decisively on all of the most important issues facing Burma

today. Her role as de facto president has been secured by approaching the deeply flawed 2008 Constitution

with creativity subverting its undemocratic principles without directly defying its text. If it works, this

approach will establish an effective government without overtly confronting the military.

The questions that remain: What will Suu Kyi and the NLD do in the first 100 days with their mandate and

newly consolidated power? How will it address ongoing military offensives against ethnic armed

organizations, especially in northern Shan State? Khu Oo Reh, Delegation for Political Negotiation Leader

and General Secretary of the UNFC, stated, Right after assuming office, the government is facing fivefronts of grave challenges: national reconciliation and peace; amendment of the 2008 constitution;

cooperation with the military; reshuffling ministries' services, including ambassadors; and fulfilling the

expectations and needs of the people as they promised during the general election campaign.

A new, largely civilian government is now in place in Burma, and it has slowly and successfully

consolidated power. Now, we must wait to see how effectively it can work with non-Burman ethnic

nationalities and the military to achieve President Htin Kyaws inaugural promise to work towards the NLD

election manifesto of national reconciliation, internal peace, pursuing a constitution toward a federal union,

and improving the living standards of the majority of the people.