{"id":23133,"date":"2026-01-31T06:05:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T04:05:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jhb-webdevelopers\/channelafrica\/news\/five-years-after-myanmar-coup-un-warns-crisis-is-worsening-as-military-run-elections-fuel-repression\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T16:33:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T14:33:59","slug":"five-years-after-myanmar-coup-un-warns-crisis-is-worsening-as-military-run-elections-fuel-repression","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/news\/five-years-after-myanmar-coup-un-warns-crisis-is-worsening-as-military-run-elections-fuel-repression\/","title":{"rendered":"Five years after Myanmar coup, UN warns crisis is worsening as military\u2011run elections fuel repression"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a statement marking the anniversary on Friday, UN Secretary\u2011General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres said the people of Myanmar continue to endure \u201cwidespread violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law,\u201d as the cycle of impunity persists.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThe suffering of the people of Myanmar has deepened,\u201d UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said, citing intensifying military airstrikes on civilians, acute food insecurity <\/span>and<\/span> nearly 5.2 million people now displaced both inside Myanmar and across its borders.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Guterres remains \u201cdeeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating situation,\u201d warning of grave regional consequences, including rising transnational crime, economic instability and soaring humanitarian needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The grim anniversary coincides with the conclusion of a three\u2011phase election orchestrated by the military authorities. UN officials say the process has further polarised society and intensified violence, rather than providing any credible political path forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker T\u00fcrk said the vote \u201cfailed to respect the fundamental human rights\u201d of Myanmar\u2019s citizens and had \u201cserved only to exacerbate violence and societal polarisation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The election was held in only 263 out of 330 townships, <\/span>largely limited to<\/span> urban areas under military control. Conflict\u2011affected regions, displaced populations and ethnic minorities, including the Rohingya, were effectively excluded.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The main opposition party, the National League for Democracy, which won the 2020 election by a landslide, was barred from participating in the election. Dozens of other anti\u2011military parties were also banned, and many of their leaders remain imprisoned.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The voting period, from December 2025 to January 2026, was reportedly marred by widespread violence. Open\u2011source monitoring recorded 408 military airstrikes during the election period, killing at least 170 civilians.<\/span><\/p>\n

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One of the deadliest incidents occurred on 22 January, when a military airstrike on a populated area in Bhamo Township, Kachin State, reportedly killed up to 50 civilians, with no combatants present.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The military also intensified repression, arresting 324 men and 80 women under a unilateral \u201celection protection law\u201d, including for minor online activity. In one case, a man was handed a 49\u2011year prison sentence for posting anti\u2011election content.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Political repression is unfolding alongside a rapidly worsening humanitarian emergency:<\/span><\/p>\n