Soe Win (general)

For other people named Soe Win, see Soe Win (disambiguation).
In this Burmese name, the given name is Soe Win. There is no family name.
His Excellency
Vice-Senior General
Maha Thray Sithu
Soe Win
စိုးဝင်း
Soe Win in 2013
Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
2 February 2021
ChairmanMin Aung Hlaing
Preceded byOffice established
Deputy Prime Minister of Myanmar
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 August 2021
PresidentMyint Swe (acting)
Min Aung Hlaing (acting)
Prime MinisterMin Aung Hlaing
Preceded byTin Hla (2001)
Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Incumbent
Assumed office
30 March 2011
PresidentThein Sein
Htin Kyaw
Win Myint
Myint Swe (acting)
Min Aung Hlaing (acting)
Preceded byMaung Aye
Personal details
Born (1960-03-01) 1 March 1960 (age 64)
Mandalay, Union of Burma[1]
SpouseThan Than Nwe
Alma materDefence Services Academy
Military service
Allegiance Tatmadaw
Branch/service Myanmar Army
Years of service1981–present
Rank Vice-Senior General
CommandsDeputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Tatmadaw
Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Army

Soe Win (Burmese: စိုးဝင်း; pronounced [só wɪ́ɴ]; born 1 March 1960) is a Burmese army general and the current Deputy Prime Minister of Myanmar.[2] Appointed following the formation of the provisional government on 1 August 2021, he holds 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.[3] He is also a member of Myanmar's National Defence and Security Council (NDSC).[4][5]

In May 2012, President Thein Sein appointed Soe Win to the working committee of the government team responsible for negotiating with Myanmar's many armed ethnic rebel groups.[6] He is a close associate of former Vice Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Vice-Senior General Maung Aye.[4][7]

Early life and education

Soe Win was born on 1 March 1960 in Mandalay, Burma (now Myanmar), to Chit Sein and Kyin Htwe.[8] In 1976, he attended a cadet course at the Defense Services Academy, alongside Ye Htut, graduating with distinctions in military science and literature. He graduated as part of the 22nd intake in 1981.[9]

Military career

In 1981, Soe Win graduated from the Defense Services Academy (DSA) during its 22nd intake.[10] In June 2008, he became the commander of the Northern Regional Command of the Myanmar Army in Kachin State.[11] In August 2010, he became Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations-6 (BSO-6), overseeing military operations in Chin and Rakhine States and the Magway Region.[4][12][13][14][15][16][17]

Soe Win inspecting the Guard of Honour, in New Delhi on 18 September 2018.

He had also pressured the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) to convert into a Border Guard Force (BGF) under the control of the military.[18][19][20][21][22][23] Despite numerous meetings between Soe Win and KIA leaders in July 2009 and August 2010, the KIA did not become a BGF.[4][24][25][26][27][28]

Soe Win meeting General Bipin Rawat, in New Delhi on 18 September 2018.

In September 2011, the 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.[29][30][31][32][33][34] Soe Win denied the claims, saying that neither he nor anyone else in the Northern Regional Command had ordered an attack on the KIA.[4][35][36][37][38][39][40]

2024 rumors

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.[41][42] His absence from public view for over two weeks fuelled speculation, especially after the reported drone attack on 9 April 2024.[43][44] Concerns about his condition increased due to his non-attendance at the traditional New Year celebrations in Naypyitaw, where he usually appeared with families affiliated with the Commander-in-Chief Office and Naypyitaw's mayor.[45][46] Soe Win's last public appearance was on 3 April 2024, during a visit to Ba Htoo in southern Shan State.[47][48]

Despite official denials, rumors persisted, including speculation of a potential purge.[49] Reports indicated growing support for Soe Win to assume military leadership amid recent setbacks and internal strife.[50] However, his reappearance in public on 30 April 2024 alleviated some uncertainty.[51][52][53] He was shown on state TV visiting injured soldiers at a military hospital in Mawlamyine, distributing cash rewards to bedridden soldiers for their service.[54] He also met with the chief ministers of Kayin and Mon states to discuss peace and prosperity along the Thai border.[55] During his interaction with officers from the South-East Command Center, his focus reportedly shifted towards matters of war.[56][57] Soe Win's return to the public eye provided some clarity during a period of heightened speculation and uncertainty.[58]

Accusations of corruption

Soe Win has been accused of being involved in numerous cases of corruption and extortion during his career as commander of the Northern Regional Command from 2008 to 2010.[59][60][61][62][63][64] Soe Win has been accused of accepting bribes from companies dealing in jade, timber, and gold, in exchange for concessions from the profits.[65][66][67][68] 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 China–Myanmar border.[69][70][71][72][73] In March 2010, he ordered Tatmadaw soldiers in Hpakant, Kachin State, to collect military taxes from local jade mining companies.[4][74][75][76][77][78]

Sanctions

The United States Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Soe Win on 10 December 2019, under Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Magnitsky Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption.[79][80] The U.S. government said Soe Win has committed serious human rights abuses against members of ethnic minority groups in Myanmar.[81] The sanctions include a freezing of U.S. assets and a ban on transactions with any U.S. person.[82][83]

Following the 2021 coup, on 11 February, he was also placed on the sanctions list of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under Executive Order 14014.[84][85] The Government of Canada imposed sanctions on 18 February, under the Special Economic Measures Act and Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations, in response to the humanitarian and human rights situation in Myanmar. The sanctions include a freezing of assets in Canada and a ban on transactions with any Canadian citizen.[86][87]

The Council of the European Union sanctioned him on 22 March 2021, under Council Regulation (E.U.) 2021/479 and Council Implementing Regulation (E.U.) 2021/480 which amended Council Regulation (E.U.) No 401/2013, for his responsibility for the military coup and the subsequent repression against peaceful demonstrators. As a result of the sanctions, he is prohibited from entry to any member state of the E.U..[88][89]

Personal life

Soe Win is married to Than Than Nwe (b. 1954).[90][91]

References

  1. ^ "Soe Win has been the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) since 2011. He is Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) and member of the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC)". OpenSanctions.
  2. ^
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  4. ^ a b c d e f "Tatmadaw Deputy Commander-in-Chief - Regime Watch - ALTSEAN Burma". www.altsean.org. Alternative ASEAN Network (ALTASEAN). Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
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  6. ^ Jonathan Head (28 April 2024). "Is Myanmar's army reversing its losses? It's complicated". BBC News.
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  12. ^ "Myanmar regime vows to hold 2024 census despite spike in clashes". Nikkei Asia. 5 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Vice-Senior General Soe Win Attends and Delivers a Speech at Meeting 1/2023 of Myanmar Special Economic Zone Central Committee". Myanmar National Portal. 17 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Vice-Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win Attends and Delivers a Speech at Ceremony to Mark 75th Anniversary of Human Rights Day". Myanmar National Portal. 12 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Top Chinese Intelligence Official Visits Myanmar for 'Cooperation' Talks. Major General Yang Yang, acting director-general of the Intelligence Bureau of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission, met the junta's number two official, Soe Win, for talks on "cooperation between the two armies", state media said". The Irrawaddy. 31 May 2023.
  16. ^ "SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win attends reception to mark 75th anniversary of founding Russia-Myanmar diplomatic ties". Myanmar National Portal. 19 February 2023.
  17. ^ "NLD-Tatmadaw relations: strong words, rising tensions". Frontier Myanmar. 18 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Vice-Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win Comforts Military Personnel, Myanmar Police Force Members, and People's Militia got Injuries in Serving State Defence and Security Duties". Myanmar National Portal. 19 December 2023.
  19. ^ "Vice-Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win Inspects Preparations for Hosting Dinner and Entertainment Programmes to honour 76th Anniversary of Independence Day". Myanmar National Portal. 5 January 2024.
  20. ^ "SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win Attends Centennial Celebration of No.1 Military Hospital (700-Bed) and 30th Myanmar Tatmadaw Medical Conference". Myanmar National Portal. 6 October 2023.
  21. ^ "Vice-Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win Pays Homage to Remains of SSMNC Chairman Bhamo Sayadaw, and Inspects Preparations for Final Rites Ceremony". Myanmar National Portal. 13 June 2023.
  22. ^ Michael Sullivan (29 April 2020). "U.N. Envoy Brings New Allegations Of War Crimes Against Myanmar". NPR.
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  25. ^ "Vice-Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win Receives Chiefs of ASEAN Air Forces". Myanmar National Portal. 19 September 2023.
  26. ^ "SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win receives Russian Ambassador to Myanmar who has completed his tour of duty". Myanmar National Portal. 29 June 2023.
  27. ^ "Powerful BGF leader Protecting Chinese- Gangs at Shwe Kokko Declares Autonomous Zone in Myawaddy – Colonel Chit Thu also ends Karen BGF's Proxy Role Under the Junta". Burma News International. 26 January 2024.
  28. ^ "SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win attends closing ceremony of International Army Games-2022". Myanmar National Portal. 29 August 2022.
  29. ^ "Nationalist Monk Briefly Detained After Joining Chant Calling for Myanmar's Leader to Step Down". The Irrawaddy. 19 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Myanmar's military government pardons 10,000 prisoners to mark Independence Day". BreakingNews.ie. 1 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Crony Close to Myanmar Junta Boss Arrested as Commodity Prices Soar". The Irrawaddy. 14 September 2023.
  32. ^ "At the funeral of highly revered Buddhist monk Bhamo Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara Bhivamsa on June 6, a solemn-faced Min Aung Hlaing was among those carrying the coffin, continuing the junta boss's efforts to portray himself as the protector of the religion in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. Together with his deputy Soe Win, Min Aung Hlaing earlier carried the coffin of senior monk Zaygon Sayadaw from Naypyitaw's Pyinmana at the monk's funeral after he died in a military plane crash in June 2021". The Irrawaddy. 9 June 2023.
  33. ^ "On March 9, at a regime meeting to discuss budget estimates for the 2023-24 fiscal year, deputy junta leader Vice Senior General Soe Win said the high cost of imported fuel made it necessary to reduce consumption to conserve foreign exchange. To address the situation, he said the junta would be exercising greater scrutiny over fuel consumption during this fiscal year, which began on April 1". Frontier Myanmar. 24 April 2023.
  34. ^ "Myanmar Army's Vice Chairman Heads to Russia". The Irrawaddy. 1 September 2021.
  35. ^ "Before his purge, Moe Myint Tun, who reportedly took millions of dollars in bribes from business owners, served as the trade chief. In the previous military regime, then-leader Than Shwe entrusted that position to his deputy Maung Aye. For whatever reason, Min Aung Hlaing chose Moe Myint Tun over his deputy Soe Win for the role; now, to his shame, he has had to sack Moe Myint Tun for corruption. Min Aung Hlaing has also created deputy prime minister positions to keep Soe Win in check—Soe Htut was one of five in the current regime. The junta chief was however left with no choice as not only Soe Htut but also members of his family abused his position of power to line their own pockets. In another bitter blow, Min Aung Hlaing has been forced to hand the home affairs minister position to Lieutenant General Yar Pyae, a classmate of Soe Win's in the 22nd intake of the Defense Services Academy". The Irrawaddy. 26 September 2023.
  36. ^ "China, Thailand and India Hold Talks With Myanmar Junta". The Irrawaddy. 5 September 2023.
  37. ^ Shannon Tiezzi (23 September 2015). "China, Myanmar Talk Border Security at Military Consultation. Myanmar's deputy commander-in-chief visits China for talks, with joint border security high on the agenda". The Diplomat.
  38. ^ "SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win comforts those receiving treatments at Defence Services Specialty Orthopaedic Hospital (500-bed), special care centre at Defence Services". Myanmar National Portal. 29 October 2022.
  39. ^ "Vice-Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win Attends Ceremonies to Open Maha Thingyan Pavilions (Water-Splashing Pavilions) in Nay Pyi Taw Council Territory". Myanmar National Portal. 18 April 2023.
  40. ^ "Myanmar Junta Scraps Retirement Age for Its Leaders". The Irrawaddy. 20 May 2021.
  41. ^ "SAC Vice-Senior General Soe Win stresses thorough preparation for Dawei SEZ MOI to ensure mutual benefits". Eleven Media Group. 25 May 2024.
  42. ^ "Rumours swirl about General Soe Win's fate". Mizzima News. 25 April 2024.
  43. ^ "Junta Watch: Prodding Industry to Go Solar as Blackouts Worsen; Asking Russia to Revive Dawei SEZ; and More". The Irrawaddy. 25 May 2024.
  44. ^ "Missing Junta No. 2, Vice General Soe Win, seen in public again". Mizzima News. 2 May 2024.
  45. ^ "Myanmar's dampened and explosive Thingyan water festival celebration". Mizzima News. 16 April 2024.
  46. ^ Sebastian Strangio (1 August 2023). "Myanmar Junta Extends State of Emergency for Fourth Time". The Diplomat.
  47. ^ Mazoe Ford (16 June 2021). "The Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Vice Admiral David Johnston, spoke with the Deputy Commander in Chief of the Myanmar military, Vice Senior General Soe Win, on Wednesday. The conversation occurred a week before the economist was due to face court in the Southeast Asian nation alongside its ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi for allegedly violating the Official Secrets Act". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  48. ^ "Myanmar: 'World is watching', UN Special Envoy urges military to refrain from violence". UN News. 16 February 2021.
  49. ^ "His No. 2, Vice Senior General Soe Win, commander-in-chief of the army and deputy head of the State Administration Council (as the junta calls itself), disappeared for nearly a month after an April 3 visit to Ba Htoo, a garrison town in southern Shan State, finally reappearing on state TV's evening news on Monday". The Irrawaddy. 30 April 2024.
  50. ^ Saw Reh (16 April 2024). "KNLA and allies repel Myanmar junta troops trying to reach Myawaddy". Myanmar Now.
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  52. ^ "Wives of Generals Pray for Their Husbands on Myanmar Women's Day". The Irrawaddy. 5 July 2023.
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  55. ^ "SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Vice-Senior General Soe Win inspects military hospital in Bahtoo station, agriculture and livestock tasks". Myanmar National Portal. 7 April 2022.
  56. ^ "Junta Watch: Regime Admits It's Not in Full Control; ASEAN Rebuffed, and More". The Irrawaddy. 7 May 2022.
  57. ^ "Vice Senior General Soe Win instructs Loikaw military personnel on effective use of weapons and ammunition". Burma News International. 17 March 2023.
  58. ^ "Myanmar Junta Sacks Commander After Heavy Casualties in Karen State". The Irrawaddy. 1 April 2023.
  59. ^ Saba Aziz (27 June 2018). "Myanmar officials 'played key role' in Rohingya ethnic cleansing". Al Jazeera News.
  60. ^ "SAC Vice-Chair DPM Vice-Senior General Soe Win attends Film Academy Award Presentation Ceremony". Myanmar National Portal. 7 May 2023.
  61. ^ "SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win Delivers Addresses at Ceremony to Mark 77th Anniversary of Myanmar Fire Brigade Day". Myanmar National Portal. 9 May 2023.
  62. ^ "SAC Vice-Chair Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win meets ethnic traditional cultural troupes, students from regions and states who will participate in ceremony to honour Diamond Jubilee Independence Day". Myanmar National Portal. 4 January 2023.
  63. ^ "Vice-Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win Visits Thingyan Pavilions (Water-Splashing Pandals) in Nay Pyi Taw Council Territory". Myanmar National Portal. 18 April 2023.
  64. ^ "Inmates' families in Arakan State call for allowing prison visits". Burma News International. 15 March 2023.
  65. ^ Mazoe Ford (16 June 2021). "ADF Vice Chief David Johnston calls on Myanmar's junta to immediately release Australian Sean Turnell. The Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Vice Admiral David Johnston, spoke with the Deputy Commander in Chief of the Myanmar military, Vice Senior General Soe Win, on Wednesday". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  66. ^ "SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win receives Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Chen Hai". Myanmar National Portal. 29 April 2023.
  67. ^ "Vice-Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win Attends Ceremony to Present Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards for 2019, 2020 and 2022". Myanmar National Portal. 9 May 2021.
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  69. ^ "Myanmar puts troops on alert after Pita's statements. Myanmar's second-most powerful general has issued a directive to his commanders to keep a closer watch on the Thai-Myanmar border after Thailand's Move Forward Party won the most House seats in the May 14 general election. According to Irrawaddy, Vice Senior General Soe Win said "The Move Forward Party is pro-West and they will assist terrorists … we have to watch the border and get information about them, their movements and their activities. The "terrorists" he referred to are anti-Myanmar regime resistance groups active along the border". Thai PBS World. 23 May 2023.
  70. ^ "Vice-Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win Receives Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Mr. Chen Hai". Myanmar National Portal. 4 May 2023.
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  90. ^ "Burma-related Designations; Iran-related Designations Removals; Non-proliferation Designations Removals". U.S. Department of the Treasury. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  91. ^ "ကာကွယ်ရေးဦးစီးချုပ်ရုံး(ကြည်း၊ ရေ၊ လေ)မိသားစုများ၏ ဒသမအကြိမ် မဟာဘုံကထိန် အလှူတော်မင်္ဂလာ အခမ်းအနားကျင်းပ". Tatmadaw Information Team (in Burmese). Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
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