Min Aung Hlaing Retires as Military C-in-C — Parliament Launches Presidential Process

On March 30, Min Aung Hlaing formally retired as Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's Defence Services, a legally required step under the 2008 constitution for him to stand as a civilian presidential candidate. He handed military command to General Ye Win Oo — his intelligence chief and longtime loyalist — who was installed as the new military C-in-C the following day. The same day, Myanmar's junta-controlled parliament convened and a USDP MP placed Min Aung Hlaing's name forward as a vice-presidential nominee, formally launching the presidential selection process. International analysts assessed the move as a cosmetic 'civilianization' maneuver designed to provide the junta with a civilian facade to seek ASEAN and international re-engagement while retaining full military control under the 2008 constitution.