Min Aung Hlaing

Min Aung Hlaing was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces). He succeeded Than Shwe and became the most powerful military figure, overseeing the armed forces during the country's political transition.

Under Min Aung Hlaing's command, the Myanmar military launched a brutal crackdown in Rakhine State following attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. The operation resulted in mass killings, rape, and the displacement of over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to Bangladesh, leading to accusations of genocide.

Min Aung Hlaing led a military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup was justified by unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, and it plunged Myanmar into a civil war and economic crisis.

Following the coup, Min Aung Hlaing declared himself Prime Minister of the newly formed State Administration Council. He assumed executive power, reversing the country's democratic transition and consolidating military control.

In response to the coup and human rights abuses, the United States, European Union, and other nations imposed sanctions on Min Aung Hlaing and his associates. The sanctions targeted his assets and restricted travel, but failed to force a return to civilian rule.