STORY
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has marked the five-year anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar by warning that the country remains in a “deepening crisis”. In an official statement released on 1 February 2026, Cooper highlighted that the military’s overthrow of Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government five years ago overturned the will of the people and stripped them of their political freedom.
The Foreign Secretary’s address drew attention to the increasingly dire conditions on the ground, noting that half of Myanmar’s children are now out of school and women and girls face persistent violence. Cooper also pointed out the international impact of the crisis, stating that illegal activities such as drug production and cyber scams have flourished in the region, with direct consequences for the United Kingdom.
Addressing the recent political situation, the statement dismissed military-run elections as neither free nor fair. This follows reports from the Union Election Commission that the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won a majority of seats in a poll widely condemned by international observers. Cooper reiterated the UK’s commitment to standing by those most affected and urged all parties involved in the conflict to protect civilians.