Meet the generals who ruled Myanmar
Myanmar, also known as Burma, was under the rule of an oppressive military junta from 1962 to 2011
Myanmar, also known as Burma, was long considered a pariah state while under the rule of an oppressive military junta from 1962 to 2011. The generals who ran the country suppressed almost all dissent and stood accused of gross human rights abuses, prompting international condemnation and sanctions.
A gradual liberalisation began in 2010, leading to free elections in 2015 and the installation of a government led by veteran opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi the following year.
However, at the early hours of 1 February, the military again declared a coup following the recent election in the country.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
They detained Aung San Suu Kyi and declared a state of emergency for one year.
Here are the military leaders have have headed the military junta:
Ne Win: In 1962, following a coup, the military junta took over Myanmar, initially in the shape of a single-party socialist system. Military commander General Ne Win seized power. Ne Win served as Prime Minister of Burma from 1958 to 1960 and 1962 to 1974, and also President of Burma from 1962 to 1981. Ne Win was the country's military dictator during the Socialist Burma period of 1962 to 1988.
San Yu: San Yu was a Burmese army general and statesman who served as the 5th President of Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma from 9 November 1981 to 27 July 1988.
During World War II, he was a squadron commander in the Burma National Army and took part in the battles raging with Japanese.
Sein Lwin: San Yu was succeeded by Brigadier General Sein Lwin, a retired military general in the Myanmar Army.
He was served as President of Myanmar for 17 days in 1988, following the resignation of San Yu.
Sein Lwin was dubbed the "Butcher of Rangoon" for his brutal suppression of successive student-led demonstrations in the capital. He was served the brutal cohort of Ne Win and the man responsible for the ruthless suppression of dissent, notably antigovernment protests in 1962 in which scores of university students were slaughtered.
Aye Ko: Lieutenant General Aye Ko was the former Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Union of Myanmar.
He held the position of Vice President of Burma in Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma for three presidents between December 1985 and September 1988, and also served as the acting president.
Maung Maung: Maung Maung was the 7th President of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma, and a well-known writer.
Saw Maung: Saw Maung was a Burmese army general and statesman who served as Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council in Myanmar and the 7th Prime Minister of Burma from 1988 to 1992.
Prior to this, he was a five-star general in the Myanmar Army and the 8th Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Myanmar.
Than Shwe: Than Shwe was the head of state of Burma/Myanmar from 1992 to 2011 as Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). During this period, he held key positions of power including Prime Minister of Burma, Commander-in-chief of Myanmar Defense Services and head of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.
In March 2011 he officially stepped down as head of state in favour of his hand-picked successor, Thein Sein, and as head of the Armed Forces, being replaced by general Min Aung Hlaing.
