Myanmar regime revokes status of UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, citing illegal activities

The Myanmar regime announced on Sunday that it has revoked the status of its Permanent Representative to the U.N., Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, accusing him of carrying out illegal activities and engaging in civil service misconduct. Regime media reported that Naypyidaw officially dismissed him from his role as Myanmar’s U.N. ambassador on Feb. 27, 2021, for failing to follow executive orders. The move escalates the regime’s multi-year effort to replace the diplomat ahead of an upcoming U.N. General Assembly credentials review. Diplomatic resistance and political background Kyaw Moe Tun was originally appointed to the U.N. post in 2020 by the democratically elected administration of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Following the 2021 military coup that plunged the nation into civil war, the diplomat broke ranks with Naypyidaw. On Feb. 26, 2021, Kyaw Moe Tun delivered an emotional address before the U.N. General Assembly, flashing the anti-coup movement’s three-finger salute and urging the international community to reject the regime’s authority. Despite the regime’s order dismissing him the following day, Kyaw Moe Tun has retained control of Myanmar’s seat at U.N. Headquarters in New York. His status has remained intact because the U.N. Credentials Committee has repeatedly deferred making a formal decision on competing claims over Myanmar’s representation, allowing him to serve through successive General Assembly sessions. UN credentials review & legal action The regime’s latest announcement comes as the newly appointed nine-member U.N. Credentials Committee—comprising the United States, China, Russia, the Bahamas, Belgium, Benin, Jamaica, Uganda, and Vanuatu—prepares to evaluate representation disputes following the opening of the 81st U.N. General Assembly session.