Myanmar’s State Administration Council (SAC) moved former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint from solitary confinement to “heavily-guarded houses” due to their deteriorating health. While regime sources confirmed the movement of both Aung and U, they did not say the location both individuals were moved to.
Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint Moved
Both the former counsellor and president were imprisoned at Naypyidaw and Taungoo Prisons since the country’s military conducted a coup that removed them from power in February 2021.
Aung’s family confirmed in September 2023 that she has several dental issues, such as gum disease and potential wisdom teeth issues. During her confinement, these issues prevented her from eating and are causing vomiting. She is also confirmed to be suffering from other health issues, such as low blood pressure, which leads to a loss of appetite and dizziness.
Sources in June 2023 also claim that Win also suffers from an unspecified health problem that led to him requiring a urinary catheter. SAC authorities deny Aung and Win, but also other members of the deposed government, treatment from doctors outside the prisons they are held in.
Analysis
The movement of Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint to houses indicates that the SAC will provide them with some form of medical treatment for their various illnesses. However, the government would likely limit any medical treatment to the minimum necessary to maintain their survival. The rationale behind the government’s likely action is to keep both Aung and Win alive and not let them become martyrs for the National Unity Government (NUG) and allied forces to rally around. Furthermore, their deaths would lead to support for the government among the population to further decrease. The deaths of Aung and Win would also have the potential to cause protests to occur throughout the country in reaction to the government’s mistreatment.
Another reason the SAC is providing Aung and Win with medical attention is to prevent western countries from increasing their support for the NUG if both individuals die from lack of treatment. The support would likely be in the form of sanctions that prevent the government from continuing to access jet fuel and other types of fuel. The military requires continued access to fuel so that their helicopters and jet aircraft can conduct airstrikes and transport reinforcements and supplies to contested areas. Another form of support that western countries could provide is increasing the number of arms sanctions against the country. These sanctions would prevent the military from accessing munitions or equipment necessary to both maintain their equipment and conduct counteroffensives.
