Myanmar’s figurehead vice-president steps down – he was a rare holdover from Suu Kyi’s civilian government

Myanmar’s Vice-President Henry Van Thio, who served in the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and then continued in the position after the military ousted her to seize power in 2021, is stepping down for unspecified health reasons, state media said Monday.

State television MRTV announced on Monday night that 65-year-old Van Thio had been allowed to retire from his post for health reasons in accordance with the constitution but did not provide any details of his health or say who, if anyone, will replace him.

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Van Thio was the only member of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party to stay on as a member of the National Defence and Security Council after the military seized power from the elected government of Suu Kyi in February 2021.

The council, established under a previous military government, is the highest constitutional government body responsible for security and defence affairs and is nominally led by the president. However, in practice, it is controlled by the military. Its membership is made up of the top military chiefs and cooperative politicians.

It played a key role in the February 2021 military takeover when the President in Suu Kyi’s government, Win Myint, was detained with her, and First Vice-President Myint Swe, a member of a pro-military party became acting president.

The move allowed the council to be convened, declare a state of emergency and hand over power to military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

Although the army claims it took power constitutionally, legal scholars generally describe its action as illegal. It has renewed the state of emergency several times.

Van Thio has played no apparent active role in the