Myanmar’s acting President Myint Swe passed away at the age of 74 after long illness.
According to Associated Press, Swe, who became the acting president of the country in 2021 after the military took over power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, died on Thursday, August 7.
A junta confirmed his death in a statement saying, “President U Myint Swe passed away at 8:28am this morning. It is hereby announced that the funeral of Pro Tem President U Myint Swe will be held as a state funeral."
The military-appointed figurehead wassuspended from the service last year due to his ill health. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has been carrying out his duty since July.
As per the state media, Swe was admitted into the intensive care in "critical condition" after he "experienced weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, and a decline in cognitive function."
The junta states that the retired army general "began experiencing sluggishness in movement and the ability to consume food and nutrients" in early 2023 he even received treatment in Singapore in April 2024 before going on medical leave in July 2024.
Myanmar has been facing turmoil with an ongoing civil war between the military junta and ethnic armed groups since the 2021 coup.
The junta last week lifted the state of emergency and handed over the power to the interim government to prepare for the election, but acting president and military chief Min Aung Hlaing continues to hold de facto control.
