Myanmar Military Extends Emergency Rule for Seventh Time, Delaying Elections

The junta cites ongoing instability and armed resistance as reasons for postponing elections until at least late 2025.

Myanmar's military has extended its state of emergency for another six months, marking the seventh extension since the 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.
The junta claims the extension is necessary to restore stability and prepare for elections, which are now expected in late 2025, though critics dismiss the polls as an effort to legitimize military rule.
Armed resistance against the military, including ethnic minority militias and pro-democracy forces, has intensified, with the junta suffering significant defeats in several regions.
The conflict has displaced over 3.5 million people, with the United Nations estimating that nearly 20 million will require humanitarian aid this year.
Opposition groups have vowed to disrupt the elections, rejecting them as illegitimate, while international observers and ASEAN have urged a focus on ceasefires and dialogue instead of elections.