Protesters condemning the coup filling the streets of Yangon, Myanmar▶ Click here to enlarge
On the 11th (local time), the United States imposed sanctions on the Myanmar military, which caused the coup, to be subject to sanctions and to divert aid to civil society.
This was the day after President Joe Biden announced that he had approved an executive order to sanction the military in Myanmar the day before.
According to AFP, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions prohibiting transactions and freezing assets on 10 people, including former and current military officials responsible for the coup.
This includes Supreme Commander Min Aung Hlaing and Deputy Commander Soe Yun, who took over all power in Myanmar. The two are already subject to US sanctions due to the oppression of the Rohingya, a minority ethnic group in the past.
Eight additional members, including four ministers, were subject to sanctions.
Their wives and adult children are also subject to sanctions.
The Ministry of Finance also designated three companies, including jewelry-related, strongly linked to the military, as sanctions. Dealing with these companies may result in US sanctions.
In addition, measures are being taken to restrict exports of sensitive items to the Myanmar military and other companies involved in the coup, or to impose export restrictions by the Ministry of National Defense.
President Biden gives an emergency speech on “measures against coup in Myanmar”▶ Click here to enlarge
Finance Minister Janet Yellen said in a statement, “If the Burmese (Myanmar) military does not change direction, we are ready to take further action.” You will know,” he warned.
The White House also demanded that the sanctions do not have to be permanent, demanding the return of power to a democratically elected government, the release of detainees, and guarantees of peaceful protests.
President Biden said the day before, “We will take steps to prevent the military from improperly accessing the US$1 billion of Burmese government funds.”
The U.S. also said it would turn $42.4 million (about 47 billion won) of aid provided to Myanmar by the International Development Agency (USAID) to support and strengthen civil society.
However, he said he would maintain $69 million in support for health and food, independent media, and peace and reconciliation efforts. It also announced that it will continue to provide humanitarian aid to the Rohingya.
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