Myanmar's Thura Shwe Mann ousted from his post
In a coup in Myanmar, Thura Shwe Mann - the head of Myanmar's governing party has been removed from his post. The removal of Union Solidarity and Development Party's leader came while he was campaigning for the November elections. Many believe that Mann's informal alliance with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi made the conservative factions uncomfortable and was the real reason behind his ousting.
Who is Thura Shwe Mann?
Thura Shwe Mann was the Speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw (the lower house of Burmese Parliament) since 2011. It was due to his efforts that America and Europe relaxed their embargoes on Myanmar.
Power struggle in Myanmar
President Thein Sein who was seeking a second term triggered a power struggle within the USDP when he was directly opposed by Shwe Mann. While the speaker's faction appeared to have grown in power, the military which is a critical player in Myanmar politics seemed to be in support of the President. Both leaders with substantial economic and political power refused to cave in.
Mann calls the government anti-transparent
Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann lashed out at the system that let private companies to develop government projects on a tender system, calling it lacking in transparency. This reproach came after deputy minister for livestock, fisheries and rural development U Khin Maung Aye showed lack of transparency in the use of community development funds. He said that Myanmar's economy was suffering because of this.
Thura Shwe Mann to lead USDP into elections
Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) decided in its 4th meeting that parliament speaker Thura U Shwe Mann would lead the party's election campaign and will also continue as the Speaker. This ended the speculation that President U Thein Sein​ might take his position. Mann said the party was willing to cooperate with any party for "the sake of national interest".
Anti-Shwe Mann sentiment in Myanmar political factions
Though Myanmar's decades of military rule ended in 2011, most of the political decisions still depend on military factions. Shwe Mann's appointment of leading the party in the elections was kept under wraps and has put the army on an offensive. Death of Aung Thaung, his ally has also greatly weakened Mann. Another USDP General Secretary Maung Maung Thein has been charged with corruption.
What does this purge means for Myanmar politics?
Shwe Mann's fall will make way for Thein Sein, the incumbent President to seek another term as nominal national leader. Furthermore, it will diminish any chances of political union with NLD party led by Aung San Suu Kyi. This move to remove Shwe Mann was further supported by the 159 senior military officers who retired from the armed services to run in the election.
