YANGON: Myanmar’s military-backed government said on Sunday their UN ambassador -- loyal to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi -- is occupying the office illegitimately, as the organisation prepares to weigh his replacement.
Myanmar has been embroiled in civil war since a military coup in 2021 ousted the elected government of Nobel laureate Suu Kyi, ending the country’s decade-long experiment with democracy.
The United Nations formed a credentials committee this month to decide whether to accept Naypyidaw’s candidate for UN ambassador or stick with Kyaw Moe Tun, who has rejected the coup and for more than five years ignored the government’s claims that he no longer represents Myanmar.
Myanmar’s foreign ministry said Kyaw Moe Tun was “dismissed from civil service” effective February 27, 2021 for not complying with state orders, committing treason and colluding with “terrorist organisations”, according to a statement published in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper.
The day before his dismissal, he made an emotional plea during an address at the UN General Assembly for the “strongest possible action” against the military coup.
The ministry also accused Kyaw Moe Tun of misusing state funds and property, including the premises of the UN Permanent Mission of Myanmar in New York, and working with the exiled opposition “National Unity Government” (NUG), which the government has branded a terrorist group.
