Mark Farmaner, the director of Burma Campaign UK, has told TIME that the military coup in Burma may have been engineered for personal reasons.
“This could be being driven by the personal ambitions of Min Aung Hlaing, who was due to retire in six months,” he told TIME. “He has also used his position to ensure his family have lucrative businesses interests, which he won’t be in a position to protect after retirement.”
Mark Farmaner said that the coup represents a significant change in strategy for the military, but that it will put them under increased pressure: “It is very hard to see how the military can benefit from this coup. They will face protests and renewed international sanctions.”