Police stand guard along a road during demontrations in Naypyidaw, Myanmar on Feb 11, 2021.
(PHOTO / AFP)
WASHINGTON / YANGON - The United States on Thursday announced a series of sanctions against multiple Myanmar's military leaders and entities.
The US designated 10 current and former military officials and blacklisted three entities related to military or security forces of Myanmar
The Department of the Treasury said in a statement that it designated 10 current and former military officials and blacklisted three entities related to military or security forces of Myanmar.
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According to a fact sheet issued by the White House, the Department of Commerce also limited exports of sensitive goods to Myanmar's military and other entities.
In addition, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) would redirect US$42.4 million in assistance from programs that benefit the Myanmar government to programs that support and strengthen civil society and the private sector.
US President Joe Biden said Wednesday that his administration was taking steps to prevent Myanmar's generals from having access to US$1 billion in government funds held in the United States.
He also called on the Myanmar military to immediately release detainees, including President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
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A one-year state of emergency was declared in Myanmar after U Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi were detained by the military on Feb. 1.
The military had demanded the postponement of new parliamentary sessions, alleging massive voting fraud in the November 2020 general elections, which saw the National League for Democracy win a majority of seats in both houses of parliament. Myanmar's Union Election Commission dismissed the allegation.
Myanmar Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Friday urged nationals to safeguard the constitution.
Min Aung Hlaing, in his capacity of chairman of the State Administration Council, in his message on the 74th Union Day, noted that non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty are the three Main National Causes and also the most important task of the democratization process.
He also urged the entire nation to join forces with the military for the successful realization of democracy while adhering to the three Main National Causes.
