How a military junta consolidated power through a state of emergency

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Following the February 2021 coup, Myanmar's military established the State Administration Council. While the junta claimed to be a provisional administration, its control was immediately contested by rival governments and international sanctions, sparking a struggle for the nation's political and territorial legitimacy.

Following the February 2021 coup d'état, the State Administration Council (SAC) was formed by Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing to govern during a declared state of emergency. Under the constitution, this status granted the Commander-in-Chief absolute legislative, executive, and judicial power. While Min Aung Hlaing delegated legislative authority to the SAC, he also served as the Prime Minister of the provisional administration. This emergency status allowed the military to bypass traditional democratic checks. Furthermore, the council established new regional administration councils to manage various states.

The council's composition and legitimacy were subjects of intense dispute. The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) designated the SAC as a 'terrorist group,' and the National Unity Government (NUG) contested its authority. Although the SAC included civilian members—such as politicians from the USDP, KPP, NNDP, NDF, ANP, MUP, and KySDP—many of these individuals were distanced by their own parties or faced United States sanctions. By late August 2021, the council consisted of nine military officers and ten civilians. The United States government also imposed sanctions on several specific military officers. This move targeted high-ranking officials to pressure the regime.

The SAC's governance was marked by significant administrative shifts and legal changes. It terminated numerous civil servants and appointed new leaders to the Supreme Court and the Central Bank of Myanmar. The council triggered mandatory military service via the 2010 SPDC People's Military Service Law in February 2024. By late 2022, reports indicated the junta's territorial control was limited to 22% of townships, representing only 17% of Myanmar's land area, as resistance forces gained control over significant portions of the country. To enforce control, the council amended privacy laws to permit warrantless searches. It also introduced new requirements for registering overnight guests with local administrators.

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