Maung Maung Aye

His Excellency General Maung Maung Aye
မောင်မောင်အေး
Maung Maung Aye in 2024
Member of the State Administration Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 25 September 2023
Chairman	Senior General Min Aung Hlaing
Chief of General Staff (Army, Navy, Air Force)
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 February 2021
Preceded by	General Mya Tun Oo
Personal details
Born	1962 Thanlyin, Myanmar (formerly Burma)
Alma mater	Defence Services Academy
Occupation	Army general
Military service
Allegiance	Myanmar
Branch/service	Myanmar Army
Years of service	1980-present
Rank	General
Unit	Ministry of Defence

Maung Maung Aye (Burmese: မောင်မောင်အေး; pronounced [maʊɰ̃ maʊɰ̃ʔ]; born 1962) is a Burmese army general currently serving as the Chief of General Staff of the Army, Navy, and Air Force since February 2021. He played a critical role in the Myanmar military coup in February 2021, contributing to the ousting of the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in 2019 and became a member of the State Administration Council on 23 September 2021, consolidating his position in Myanmar's military junta.

Born in Thanlyin, Myanmar on 1963, Maung Maung Aye joined the military at an early age, eventually becoming a key figure in the Myanmar Army's strategic command. He advanced quickly through the ranks, establishing a reputation for his organizational skills and military leadership. Over the years, he has held multiple important roles, including serving as a commander in the Myanmar infantry and heading various regional commands. His military career includes significant involvement in Myanmar’s military operations during various conflicts, particularly in the regions of Kachin, Shan, and Karen States. His leadership in these areas has been controversial, particularly due to allegations of human rights abuses and military violence, which have led to international sanctions against him. In addition to his military positions, Maung Maung Aye has cultivated strong diplomatic relations with countries like China, Russia, and India, while also facing condemnation from Western governments. Under his leadership, the military junta has been criticized for its continued suppression of pro-democracy movements and human rights violations, particularly the violent repression of protests in Myanmar.

In his personal life, Maung Maung Aye is described as a pragmatic and ambitious figure, with a reputation for being closely aligned with the policies and goals of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s top military leader. He has been heavily involved in Myanmar’s political machinery since 2011, and his ascent to the deputy defense minister position marked a significant step in his career. The Myanmar military's leadership under Maung Maung Aye’s influence has continued to engage in controversial actions, including the violent crackdown on peaceful protests in 2021 and the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians. His leadership has led to increased isolation for Myanmar, with many international organizations calling for accountability for the abuses carried out by the military during his tenure.

Early life and education

Maung Maung Aye was born on 1963 in Thanlyin, Myanmar. He joined the Myanmar Armed Forces at a young age, enrolling at the Defence Services Academy (DSA) in Pyin Oo Lwin. During his time at the academy, he was trained in military tactics, leadership, and the strategic aspects of warfare, which laid the foundation for his rise through the ranks in Myanmar's military.

Little is known about his early personal life, but it is clear that Maung Maung Aye's education at the Defence Services Academy played a significant role in shaping his future. Upon completing his education, he quickly moved into military service, establishing a career that would eventually see him rise to the top echelons of the Myanmar military leadership.

Military career

Maung Maung Aye’s military career began in the early 1980s. He first gained recognition as a commander within the Myanmar Infantry, gradually rising through the ranks due to his military expertise and leadership capabilities. Over the years, he held various important positions, including overseeing regional military commands in some of Myanmar's most conflict-ridden areas, such as Kachin, Shan, and Karen States. By 2019, Maung Maung Aye had been promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, marking a significant milestone in his military career. His leadership has been characterized by a combination of organizational skills and an unwavering loyalty to the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) hierarchy. He was a key figure in the 2010 military reforms under the then-leader Senior General Than Shwe and continued to solidify his position within the military.

In 2011, Maung Maung Aye’s influence within Myanmar’s military structure expanded, as he began to take on more political responsibilities. His role as a member of the State Administration Council after the February 2021 coup cemented his position as a significant player in Myanmar’s ongoing political turmoil. Following the coup, he was appointed Chief of General Staff of Army, Navy, and Air Force, a critical position that allowed him to wield substantial control over the country's military strategy.

Maung Maung Aye was one of the key figures in the military coup of February 2021 that led to the overthrow of the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. His contributions to the coup included supporting the decision to detain civilian leaders and backing the military junta’s subsequent actions. His role in the junta has drawn significant international scrutiny, as human rights organizations have accused him of involvement in war crimes, particularly related to the crackdown on protests and ethnic minorities. His military career, although marked by significant promotion and power, has been controversial due to the increasing isolation Myanmar faces on the international stage and the allegations of human rights abuses associated with his actions.

He is an officer who graduated from Defence Military Academy No. 25 cadet course. He has the same number as General Mya Tun Oo. He enlisted in the army with gazetted number 17580. When he was a colonel, he was in the operations command headquarters (6) SKA-6. Nay Pyi Taw, He was the head of Pinmana's headquarters. In August 2010, he was promoted to the rank of general and became the commander of Nay Pyi Taw military headquarters. In August 2015, he became a lieutenant general and served as the chief training officer of the Tatmadaw. During the 2021 Myanmar military coup, he succeeded General Mya Tun Oo as the Coordinating Commander (Army, Navy, Air Force). On September 25, 2023, Lieutenant General Soe Htut and Lieutenant General Moe Myint Tun were removed from their positions and he became a new member of the Council when the State Administration Council was reorganized. After more than 2 and a half years after the military coup, he became a council member as a top military figure. He was also appointed as the head of the Reserve Force Calling Central Committee, which was formed on February 16, 2024.

Role in the 2021 military coup

Maung Maung Aye played a significant role in the 2021 military coup, which ousted the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD). The coup occurred after the military, citing alleged election fraud in the 2020 general elections, detained NLD leaders and seized control of the government. Maung Maung Aye's position as the chief of the military and his role in managing the armed forces' strategic operations made him a pivotal figure in the junta's efforts to consolidate power.

As a leading figure in the SAC, Maung Maung Aye became one of the public faces of the military regime, making statements and giving briefings that justified the coup while framing the military's actions as necessary for national security. His involvement was central to the junta's efforts to manage the military's image in the face of widespread condemnation from the international community and pro-democracy protests across Myanmar.

Key leadership roles and positions

In addition to his military career, Maung Maung Aye's leadership within Myanmar's junta was further solidified in September 2023, when he was appointed to the State Administration Council following a reorganization. This role granted him significant political power and placed him among the top military figures in the regime.

In February 2024, he was appointed to lead the newly formed Reserve Force Calling Central Committee, a body tasked with overseeing the recruitment and mobilization of military reserves as part of the junta's efforts to strengthen the military.

International relations and arms procurement

Maung Maung Aye is known for his key role in overseeing the procurement of military arms for Myanmar, particularly from countries like Russia and China. His diplomatic and defense activities have included discussions with international military counterparts, particularly from countries like India. These engagements are focused on bolstering Myanmar's military capacity, as well as fostering relationships with countries that continue to engage with the junta despite widespread international condemnation of Myanmar's human rights record.

Maung Maung Aye's activities in arms procurement, particularly Myanmar’s relationship with Russia, have been the subject of international scrutiny. His role in facilitating these arms deals has made him a central figure in Myanmar’s ongoing conflict with ethnic armed groups and resistance movements within the country.

Public perception and criticism

Maung Maung Aye has faced considerable criticism from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, for his role in overseeing military operations that led to numerous human rights violations, including the suppression of peaceful protests, arbitrary detentions, and allegations of war crimes. His defense of the military's actions, often at odds with independent reports, has made him a controversial figure both within Myanmar and internationally.

Within Myanmar, he is viewed as a key figure in the junta's military strategy and a central actor in the government's efforts to suppress the growing civil disobedience and resistance movements. However, he also maintains strong support within military circles, where his leadership and strategic acumen are highly regarded.

Sanctions

As a prominent figure in the Myanmar military junta, Maung Maung Aye has been the target of sanctions imposed by multiple international governments, including the United States and the European Union, and Canada. Sanctions have been imposed in response to Maung Maung Aye's involvement in the military coup and the subsequent actions against anti-coup protests and political opposition. These measures aim to address concerns related to Myanmar's democratic institutions and stability.