Following the end of the first half of 2025, several reshuffles have occurred among the military generals who have seized and held state power through armed force.
These generals promised to hold a new multi-party democratic election and hand over power to a civilian government. They have since introduced a new union government—perceived by many as a transitional administration—alongside a new military-appointed commission.
A political analyst commented, “What they call a transitional government is just a convenient term used by the opposition forces on this side. The military, on the other hand, only uses the names of institutions it created itself. If you’re forming a government, you need a legislature. And the people in it must be those truly elected by the public. What we see now is a one-man command system, essentially an insult to the people.”
After dissolving the previous regional and state-level governments, the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) appointed 31 individuals to head union-level ministries nationwide. These include one prime minister, 29 union ministers, and one director general.
Upon examining the composition of this transitional government appointed by the NDSC, it becomes clear that many are high-ranking military officers dressed in civilian clothing, university graduates, and retired military personnel. Among the 31 government members, from the prime minister down to 23 union ministers, most are individuals from the Myanmar military appointed to civilian government positions.
Those who studied at the Defence Services Academy (DSA) include Prime Minister U Nyunt Soe and Union Ministers U Tin Aung San, U Ko Ko Hlaing, U Myo Tun Oo, General Maung Maung Aye, U Than Swe, Lt. Gen. Tun Tun Naung, Lt. Gen. Yar Pyae, U Maung Maung Ohn, U Tin Oo Lwin, and U Hla Moe.
Others, such as U Tun Aung, U Min Naung, U Khin Maung Yi, U Nyan Tun, U Ko Ko Lwin, U Myint Kyine, U Aung Kyaw Htoo, Dr. Myo Thein Kyaw, JP Naw Taung, and U Myo Thant, are graduates of the Army’s Officers Training School (OTS).
These military generals are expected to retain control of national power until after the military-led election scheduled for December 2025. They will continue reshuffling appointments as they see fit.
A former military officer explained, “In times of transition like this, officers know they can’t expect further promotions, so they prefer switching to civilian roles. They get to enjoy both military and civilian salaries. Also, doing business is much easier without a uniform. In uniform, you’re on duty 24/7 as a soldier. In civilian life, many prefer working in budget-related departments. There’s more opportunity to profit, and they earn more.”
According to political insiders, many of the generals and lieutenant generals now transitioning into civilian ministries are expected to remain in government even after the upcoming election, continuing their influence in future administrations.
