Is Myanmar Seeking U.S. approval of Min Aung Hlaing Regime

Having gained the approval of Russia, China, India, Thailand amongst ASEAN countries, the quasi-military government led by former military commander and coup leader Ming Aung Hlaing as the president may now be looking to woo the United States for removal of sanctions and thus legitimacy of sorts.

According to Bloomberg, Roger Stone, a longtime lobbyist and ally of President Donald Trump, will work to rebuild relations between the US and Myanmar being signed on to represent the military led government’s Ministry of Information for the removal of sanctions.

Stone has also lobbied recently for domestic clients, disclosing earnings of nearly $1.2 million in the first quarter of this year through his Florida-based firm Drake Ventures as per the Bloomberg. Stone will be working through DCI Group AZ LLC.

This comes even as United States called for Myanmar to immediately release deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi after the junta said it would move her to house arrest, five years since putting her into detention in a coup.

“We continue to call for her immediate and unconditional release,” a US State Department spokesman said. “We urge the regime to ensure Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has proper access to medical care given continued reports of her poor health.”

The office of Min Aung Hlaing recently shared a photograph seeming to show Suu Kyi sitting flanked by two men — one in a khaki shirt and another in a police uniform as per Mizzima News.

This comes even as calls are growing in Myanmar and beyond to show proof of life of the Noble laureate.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Thailand Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow during his visit to Myanmar on April 21-22 inquired about the status of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and was informed that she remained in good health and that further positive developments would be considered.  

On May 03, the European Union also called for allowing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to meet regularly with her family and lawyers, and for her unconditional release.

On February 11, 2021, the United States launched a new sanctions regime, “launched a new sanctions regime in response to the Burmese military’s coup against the democratically elected civilian government of Burma”. In the first of the series of sanctions restrictions were imposed on Min Aung Hlaing and now President along with the entire coterie of generals involved in the coup. Subsequently several state and business entities involved with then military led administration have faced US sanctions the last of which was on January 31, 2024.

There are no sanctions under the Trump Administration so far. Thus, Min Aung Hlaing is hoping for a shot at removal of sanctions.

Can release of Suu Kyi be the bait or given the penchant for rare earths , crypto and so on in Washington there are some other allurements on offer remain to be seen.