The UN and western governments voiced alarm on Friday over threats by Myanmar’s military that have stirred fears of a coup in the aftermath of an election the army says was fraudulent.
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said he was following with “great concern” developments in Myanmar, where the army has said it would take action if complaints about the election are not addressed. An army spokesman on Tuesday declined to rule out the possibility of seizing power.
The commander-in-chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, told military personnel on Wednesday that the Constitution should be repealed if it was not abided by, citing previous instances when charters had been abolished in Myanmar.
Australia, UK, Canada, the EU and US, and 12 other nations, in a separate statement urged the military to “adhere to democratic norms”.
They said they opposed “any attempt to alter the outcome of the elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition”. A spokesman did not answer phone calls seeking comment. Talks between the civilian government and army failed to ease tensions ahead of parliament’s opening on Monday.