The military in Myanmar (formerly Burma) staged a coup last February 1 to oust the newly elected officials of the country. Elements of the Tatmadaw, the armed forces in the country, arrested and detained Aung San Suu Kyi who is recognized as the leader of the civil bureaucracy, as well as other government officials. The newly elected parliament was set to be sworn in that same day.

The Tatmadaw alleged without proof that the election was rigged by Suu Kyi’s party, as the military-backed opposition did poorly. Independent watchdogs and the local commission of elections belied this accusation.

Through this coup, the military has proved that it still has a tight grip over the state in Myanmar which Suu Kyi failed to quell. The United Nations and many countries strongly condemned the coup. Several protests were also conducted by Suu Kyi’s supporters in Myanmar.