Can the world press Myanmar’s coup leaders to relinquish power?

World leaders have been swift in condemning Myanmar’s coup which has been termed “unacceptable” and a “serious blow to democracy” by the United Nations.

The international community is demanding democracy be restored in the country and calling for the release of the de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior figures detained by the military on Monday.

The party removed from power – National League of Democracy – wants its landslide victory in last November’s elections recognised.

Power is now in the hands of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing who has appointed his own cabinet.

The coup leaders say the takeover is temporary and have promised elections in a year.

But that has not stopped threats of sanctions on Myanmar, particularly by the United States.

And the UN Security Council has called for an emergency meeting on the situation on Tuesday.

So what can be done to restore democracy in Myanmar?

Presenter: Kim Vinnell

Guests:

Michael Charney – Professor and chair of Asian and Military History at SOAS, University of London, and author of A History of Modern Burma

Tharaphi Than – Myanmar historian and associate professor at Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University

Paul Donowitz  – Myanmar campaign leader at Global Witness