Myanmar Lifts Emergency, Prepares for Disputed Election

Myanmar's military government has lifted a four-year state of emergency, a move that allows for elections planned for December. This state of emergency was imposed after the military's 2021 coup. The lifting of the emergency is seen by critics as a procedural step to hold elections, rather than a genuine shift away from military rule. The junta's leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has appointed himself acting president, and opposition groups are expected to boycott the upcoming vote. The military cites ongoing conflict with armed resistance groups as justification for its actions, but the move is widely viewed as maintaining the junta's power.