NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) — Thursday marked the parliamentary confirmation of Myanmar’s new cabinet, which is overwhelmingly composed of ex-military generals and officials who served in the previous army-controlled administration under Min Aung Hlaing.
The cabinet formation comes after disputed elections held in December and January, yet shows minimal indication of a shift back to civilian control five years following the 2021 military coup that Hlaing orchestrated.
Friday’s ceremony will see Min Aung Hlaing take the presidential oath of office alongside two deputy presidents and the newly confirmed cabinet officials.
Aung Lin Dwe, the parliament’s speaker, announced that lawmakers unanimously endorsed all 30 ministerial appointments without any opposition.
The official roster reveals that 24 appointees are either active or retired military personnel, or legislators affiliated with the military-supported Union Solidarity and Development Party. Among these ministers, 18 previously held cabinet positions in the former military administration, while four additional appointees served as military and governmental officials during that same period.
Multiple cabinet members face international sanctions from foreign nations that have accused them of backing and participating in military rule or committing human rights violations.
Lawmakers additionally confirmed the reappointment of the constitutional tribunal’s chairman, the nation’s top prosecutor, and Supreme Court justices.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations joined other international entities in refusing to acknowledge Myanmar’s recent elections, citing the exclusion of most opposition factions and severe limitations on political dissent. Combat zones affected by Myanmar’s continuing civil conflict prevented voting in certain regions.
