Soe Win (general)

Soe Win (Burmese: စိုးဝင်း; pronounced [só wɪ́ɴ]; born 1 March 1960) is a Burmese army general and the current Deputy Prime Minister of Myanmar. Appointed following the formation of the caretaker government on 1 August 2021, Soe Win hold essential roles, including Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces), and Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Army. He is also a member of Myanmar's National Defence and Security Council (NDSC). In May 2012, former President of Myanmar, Thein Sein appointed Soe Win to the working committee of the government team responsible for negotiating with Myanmar's many armed ethnic rebel groups. He is a close associate of former Vice Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Vice-Senior General Maung Aye.

Early life and education

Soe Win was born on 1 March 1960 in Mandalay, Burma (now Myanmar), to Chit Sein and Kyin Htwe. In 1976, he attended a cadet course at the Defense Services Academy, alongside Ye Htut, graduating with distinctions in military science and literature. Soe Win graduated as part of the 22nd intake in 1981.

Military career

In 1981, Soe Win graduated from the Defense Services Academy (DSA) during its 22nd intake. In June 2008, he became the commander of the Northern Regional Command of the Myanmar Army in Kachin State. In August 2010, Soe Win became Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations-6 (BSO-6), overseeing military operations in Chin and Rakhine States and the Magwe Region.

Soe Win had also pressured the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) to convert into a "Border Guard Force" (BGF) under the control of the military. Despite numerous meetings between Soe Win and KIA leaders in July 2009 and August 2010, the KIA did not become a BGF.

In September 2011, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) accused Soe Win of ordering Tatmadaw soldiers to attack KIA positions in Kachin State, thus violating the terms of multiple ceasefire agreements signed prior to the alleged attacks. Soe Win denied the claims, saying that neither he nor anyone else in the Northern Regional Command had ordered an attack on the KIA.

In April 2024, widespread rumors emerged that Soe Win might have sustained severe injuries during a resistance drone attack on the Southeastern Command headquarters in Mawlamyine, Mon State, where he was allegedly stationed. His absence from public view for over two weeks fueled speculation, especially after the reported drone attack on 9 April 2024. Concerns about his condition increased due to his non-attendance at Myanmar’s traditional New Year celebrations in Naypyitaw, where he usually appeared with families affiliated with the Commander-in-Chief Office and Naypyitaw’s mayor. Soe Win's last public appearance was on 3 April 2024, during a visit to Ba Htoo in southern Shan State.

Despite official denials, rumors persisted, including speculation of a potential purge. Reports indicated growing support for Soe Win to assume military leadership amid recent setbacks and internal strife. However, his reappearance in public on 30 April 2024 alleviated some uncertainty. He was shown on state TV visiting injured soldiers at a military hospital in Mawlamyine, distributing cash rewards to bedridden soldiers for their service. He also met with the chief ministers of Kayin and Mon states to discuss peace and prosperity along the Thai border. During his interaction with officers from the South-East Command Center, his focus reportedly shifted towards matters of war. Soe Win's return to the public eye provided some clarity during a period of heightened speculation and uncertainty.

Accusations of corruption

Soe Win has been accused of being involved numerous cases of corruption and extortion during his career as commander of the Northern Regional Command from 2008 to 2010. Soe Win has been accused of accepting bribes from companies dealing in jade, timber, and gold, in exchange for concessions from the profits. Soe Win was reported to have accepted a 150 million kyat ($149,254 USD) bribe from teak businessmen from China's Yunnan Province, in exchange for allowing illicit teak trade on the Myanmar-China border. In March 2010, he ordered Tatmadaw soldiers in Hpakant, Kachin State, to collect military taxes from local jade mining companies.

Sanctions

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on Soe Win since 10 December 2019, pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption. Soe Win has committed serious human rights abuse against members of ethnic minority groups across Myanmar. These US sanctions include a freezing of assets under the US and a ban on transactions with any US person.

About one year later on 11 February 2021, Soe Win was also placed on the sanctions list of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) pursuant to Executive Order 14014, in response to the Myanmar's military coup against the democratically elected civilian government of Burma).

The Government of Canada has imposed sanctions on Soe Win since 18 February 2021, pursuant to Special Economic Measures Act and Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations, in response to the gravity of the human rights and humanitarian situation in Myanmar (formerly Burma). Canadian sanctions include a freezing of assets under Canada and a ban on transactions with any Canadian person.

Furthermore, the Council of the European Union has imposed sanctions on Soe Win since 22 March 2021, pursuant to Council Regulation (EU) 2021/479 and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/480 which amended Council Regulation (EU) No 401/2013, for his responsibility for the military coup and the subsequent military and police repression against peaceful demonstrators. The EU sanctions include a freezing of assets under member countries of the EU and a ban on entry or transit to the countries.

Personal life

Soe Win is married to Than Than Nwe (b. 1954).

References

External links

Myanmar National Portal

• Minister of Defence - The Republic of the Union of Myanmar