Military-affiliated President of Myanmar, Myint Swe, Passes Away Following a Longstanding Illness
Myanmar's acting president, Myint Swe, passed away at the age of 74 on August 7, 2025, at a military hospital in Naypyitaw. The time of his death was 8:28 a.m. local time.
Myint Swe had been on medical leave since mid-2024, suffering from neurological disorders and peripheral neuropathy. During his absence, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing had been carrying out the presidential duties.
Myint Swe served as the first vice president of Myanmar before becoming acting president on February 1, 2021, following the military coup. However, his appointment was widely regarded as constitutionally illegitimate.
Myint Swe's hardline stance within the military establishment was shaped by his involvement in internal military purges during the early 2000s and his role in the violent suppression of the Saffron Revolution in 2007. He was also a close ally of former junta leader Than Shwe.
The National Defence and Security Council, which is military-dominated, declared a state of emergency following Myint Swe's appointment as acting president. Throughout his tenure, Myint Swe performed largely ceremonial functions, while Min Aung Hlaing held real power.
As of early August 2025, no official announcement about the immediate successor to the presidency has been made after Myint Swe's death. The military junta remains in control, and any succession will likely follow military protocols to maintain their grip on power.
It is reasonable to infer that Min Aung Hlaing or a close military appointee aligned with him will assume the presidency officially after Myint Swe's death. Min Aung Hlaing has been the dominant figure leading the military government since the 2021 coup, and he had effectively transferred power to Min Aung Hlaing during Myint Swe's medical leave in 2024.
A state funeral with full honors has been announced for Myint Swe, though the date has yet to be revealed. The national election, planned for late 2025, is widely seen as managed and controlled by the military leadership.
In conclusion, while the formal new president has not been declared, Min Aung Hlaing is the most plausible candidate to succeed Myint Swe as head of state due to his de facto control over Myanmar's military government since the 2021 coup.
References:
[1] BBC News. (2025). Myanmar's acting president Myint Swe dies aged 74. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-58012322
[2] Reuters. (2025). Myanmar's acting president Myint Swe dies at 74, military source says. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmars-acting-president-myint-swe-dies-74-military-source-2025-08-07/
[3] Al Jazeera. (2025). Myanmar's acting president Myint Swe dies at 74. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/7/myanmars-acting-president-myint-swe-dies-at-74
Read also:
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Trump's enforcement actions in Washington D.C.: Insights from the political arena
- Chinese Ambassador issues stern message to India regarding Trump's tariffs in midst of escalating trade feuds
- Aircraft collides with another one on the runway during landing at Montana airport, igniting flames
