Junta leader resumes duties following successful spinal surgery ahead of pivotal selection for Myanmar’s president

Mizzima

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has officially resumed his state responsibilities after undergoing successful spinal surgery to treat nerve pain caused by lumbar spondylosis.

The operation took place on 20 March, 2026, at the 1,000-bed Military Hospital No. 2 in Naypyidaw where a specialized team of Indian medical experts collaborated with military doctors.

According to a statement released on 23 March by the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), the two-hour procedure was a success, and the Senior General has recovered sufficiently to return to his official duties immediately.

This medical update comes at a critical moment for the military regime as it prepares for the 81st anniversary of Armed Forces Day on 27 March. The annual celebration, which commemorates the resistance against Japanese occupation in 1945, typically features a massive military parade in Naypyidaw.

Analysts suggest that Min Aung Hlaing’s quick return to the public eye is intended to project stability and strength during a week of significant political transitions following the conclusion of the three-phase general elections earlier this year.

The political stakes will reach their peak on 30 March, when the Presidential Electoral is scheduled to begin the formal nomination process for the presidency and two vice-presidencies.

Reports indicate that the military delegation is expected to nominate Min Aung Hlaing as a candidate for the vice-presidency, a move that would likely see him eventually assume the presidency once parliament completes the indirect election process.

To comply with constitutional requirements, the Senior General may be required to step down from his position as Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services before the month ends, potentially handing over military control to a trusted protege while he transitions into a formal executive role.