State Peace and Development Council

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State seal of Myanmar (1988–2011)

State seal of Myanmar

File:U.S. Navy Band - Kaba Ma Kyei.oga

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Burmese SPDC members greet Abhisit Vejjajiva

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Thai delegation with Burmese SPDC

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Than Shwe 2010-10-11

State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) was the official name of the military government of Myanmar (also known as Burma), which ruled the country from 1998 until 2011. The SPDC was the successor to the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), which had governed Myanmar since 1988 following a military coup d'état. The SPDC was responsible for numerous human rights abuses and was widely criticized by international governments and human rights organizations.

Formation and Background

The SPDC was formed on November 15, 1997, replacing the SLORC in an attempt to rebrand the military regime in the face of ongoing domestic unrest and international criticism. The change was largely cosmetic, with the same military leaders retaining power under a new name. The formation of the SPDC marked a continuation of military rule in Myanmar, which had been ongoing since 1962 when the first military coup took place.

Structure and Leadership

The SPDC was led by a chairman, Senior General Than Shwe, who was also the head of state. The council consisted of high-ranking military officers who held various governmental roles, effectively merging military and civilian administration. The SPDC's structure was hierarchical, with directives flowing from the top leadership down through the ranks.

Policies and Governance

Under the SPDC, Myanmar was isolated internationally due to its human rights record and refusal to transition to civilian rule. The council implemented strict control over the media, freedom of speech, and political assembly. It was also responsible for economic policies that led to widespread poverty and underdevelopment.

The SPDC claimed to be working towards a "disciplined democracy," but its efforts were widely seen as attempts to legitimize military rule rather than genuine democratic reform. In 2008, it pushed through a constitution that guaranteed the military a significant role in any future government.

Human Rights Abuses

The SPDC was accused of numerous human rights abuses, including forced labor, ethnic cleansing, and suppression of political dissent. The most notable example of its brutal crackdowns was the 2007 Saffron Revolution, a series of political and economic protests led by monks, which was violently suppressed by the military.

Transition to Civilian Rule

In 2010, the SPDC announced a general election, the first in Myanmar in 20 years. The elections were widely criticized as neither free nor fair, but they resulted in a nominal civilian government taking power in March 2011. The SPDC was officially dissolved on March 30, 2011, replaced by the presidency of Thein Sein, a former general and prime minister under the SPDC. Despite the formal end of military rule, the military retained significant power and influence over the government.

Legacy

The legacy of the SPDC is a controversial and painful chapter in Myanmar's history. Its rule is remembered for its human rights abuses, economic mismanagement, and the suppression of democratic movements. The transition to civilian rule in 2011 did not fully dismantle the military's influence in politics, as seen in the 2021 military coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.