Death Confirmed After Long Illness
Myanmar’s acting president, Myint Swe, has passed away at the age of 74 following a lengthy illness. The military confirmed he died early on August 7, 2025, at a military hospital in the capital, Naypyitaw, at 8:28 a.m. local time. A state funeral with full honors has been announced, though the date has yet to be revealed.
Illness and Lost Authority
Myint Swe had been on medical leave since mid-2024, suffering from neurological disorders and peripheral neuropathy, conditions that severely compromised his ability to perform daily activities. Since July of last year, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing had been carrying out the presidential duties in his stead.
Political Role in the Military Takeover
Myint Swe, once Myanmar’s first vice president, became acting president on February 1, 2021, in the wake of the military coup that deposed President Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi. His appointment—widely regarded as constitutionally illegitimate—enabled the military-dominated National Defence and Security Council to declare a state of emergency and transfer control to Min Aung Hlaing. Throughout his tenure, Myint Swe performed largely ceremonial functions, while Min Aung Hlaing held real power.
Historical Legacy and Military Career
A retired lieutenant general, Myint Swe was a close ally of former junta leader Than Shwe. His record includes a key role in the violent suppression of the Saffron Revolution in 2007 and involvement in internal military purges during the early 2000s. These events shaped his status as a hardline figure within the military establishment.
What Comes Next
With Myint Swe’s passing, Min Aung Hlaing is expected to formally assume the presidency, although he has already been fulfilling that role behind the scenes. His consolidation of power comes at a time when a state of emergency remains in place and a national election, planned for late 2025, is widely seen as managed and controlled by the military leadership.
