Myanmar Accuses UN Representative of 'Illegal' Acts Amid Credentials Showdown

Myanmar's military-backed government is intensifying its campaign against Kyaw Moe Tun, the country's permanent representative to the United Nations, who pledged loyalty to the opposition after the 2021 coup. This comes ahead of an expected credentials battle at the UN later this month. Kyaw Moe Tun was appointed by the civilian government that was ousted in the February 2021 military coup. Following the coup, he delivered an emotional address to the UN General Assembly, publicly breaking with the junta and appealing for international action to restore democracy. He later pledged allegiance to the National Unity Government (NUG), formed by members of the ousted administration and civil society. The military junta subsequently terminated Kyaw Moe Tun and nominated retired Colonel Aung Thurein as his replacement. However, Kyaw Moe Tun has remained in his post due to repeated deferrals by the UN Credentials Committee on the question of representation. On September 8, the UNGA appointed a new nine-member Credentials Committee, which will soon consider whether to defer the decision again or make a definitive ruling on who should represent Myanmar. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Naypyidaw has accused Kyaw Moe Tun of "illegal activities," stating his status had been "revoked and withdrawn." It specifically alleged misuse of state funds and property for "personal interest" and collusion with resistance groups like the NUG, which have been declared "unlawful associations and terrorist organizations." The ministry added that the Myanmar Embassy in Washington, D.C. is coordinating with INTERPOL and the U.S. National Central Bureau to pursue "necessary action" against the envoy. "Kyaw Moe Tun's continued representation of Myanmar at the United Nations does not constitute formal recognition of his legitimacy," the ministry stated, calling his status "merely a temporary arrangement." The Myanmar government appears to have gauged that the time is ripe to intensify its campaign against Kyaw Moe Tun, similar to its ongoing fight against the former ambassador to the UK who declared for the resistance. In April, coup leader Min Aung Hlaing was appointed president of a new "civilian" government following tightly controlled elections. He has prioritized normalizing relations with the outside world, visiting several ASEAN member states, China, India, and Russia. Resolving the issue of Myanmar's representation at the UN is clearly a high diplomatic priority for the new government. While the Credentials Committee has deferred its decision on Myanmar's representation since 2021, the outlook is now less certain. China and Russia are expected to support the junta's position, while the views of other committee members remain unclear. The Myanmar diaspora has urged UN missions to continue recognizing Kyaw Moe Tun, and the son of ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi is planning a rally in New York to show support.