Exiled leader of Myanmar’s civilian government vows ‘revolution’ to overturn military rule

The acting head of Myanmar’s civilian government addressed the public from exile Saturday, vowing to fight against the military’s rule since it took over in a coup earlier this year.

Mahn Win Khaing Than, who was appointed the civilian leader by ousted lawmakers and is currently hiding in an undisclosed location, vowed there would be a “revolution” against the junta that took power by force during the Feb. 1 coup.

“In order to form a federal democracy, which all ethnic brothers, who have been suffering various kinds of oppressions from the dictatorship for decades … this revolution is the chance for us to put our efforts together,” he said in a Facebook video, according to a translation of his remarks by Reuters. 

The statement comes on the same day as reports that 12 protesters were killed demonstrating against the military government, making Saturday one of the deadliest since the coup.

The Committee for Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), made up of ousted civilian lawmakers, has sought to establish its power in exile, naming Than the acting vice president of Myanmar last week. The CRPH is currently meeting with Myanmar’s ethnic armed organizations, which still hold large swaths of the country and could pose a threat to the military junta. 

Than hinted at a broader cooperation with the forces. 

“In order to form a federal democracy, which all ethnic brothers, who have been suffering various kinds of oppressions from the dictatorship for decades, really desired, this revolution is the chance for us to put our efforts together,” Than said. 

He added that the CRPH would “attempt to legislate the required laws so that the people have the right to defend themselves.” 

However, it remains unclear how much of a threat the groups would pose if they did unite in opposition to the junta, which has cracked down on any semblance of dissent with an iron fist.