Germany's Diplomat Criticized for Support of Ousted Myanmar Leaders

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Myanmar has summoned the head of mission at the German embassy over a video posted on Facebook, calling for the unconditional release of ousted politicians, including former leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Mathias Licharz, the diplomat in question, was warned against the content of the video and handed an aide-memoire by Deputy Foreign Minister Ko Ko Kyaw on Tuesday. The video, filmed outside the former Yangon residence of Win Myint, the figurehead president of Aung San Suu Kyi's government, urged authorities to release all arbitrarily detained politicians, including Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi. Licharz's video was posted on Sunday to mark Win Myint's 75th birthday, stating that the United Nations still considers him the legitimate president of Myanmar. Win Myint was jailed following the February 2021 military coup, which ended Myanmar's decade-long democratic experiment. Pro-democracy rebels and long-simmering ethnic minority rebellions challenging central rule have since escalated. Authorities claimed in April that Win Myint had been pardoned of his post-coup convictions, although critics argue these charges were fabricated to oust the government. Licharz expressed frustration in his video message about his unsuccessful attempts to meet with Win Myint. The military leadership behind the coup organized elections this year, installing a nominally civilian government while maintaining control. The Foreign Ministry stated that if Licharz recognizes Win Myint as President and chooses to discontinue his service in Myanmar, they would have no objection. Aung San Suu Kyi remains detained and her access is tightly controlled by the authorities in Naypyidaw.

A Facebook video posted by Mathias Licharz, the head of mission at the German embassy in Myanmar, has led to a diplomatic reprimand from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The video called for authorities to release ousted politicians such as former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and figurehead president Win Myint, who was jailed following the 2021 military coup. Licharz was summoned by Deputy Foreign Minister Ko Ko Kyaw on Tuesday and handed an aide-memoire, with the Ministry warning against similar actions in the future. The video, filmed outside Win Myint's former residence, marked his 75th birthday and urged authorities to release all arbitrarily detained politicians. Since the coup, pro-democracy rebels and long-simmering ethnic minority rebellions have escalated, with Win Myint still incarcerated. Authorities claimed in April that he had been pardoned of his post-coup convictions, but critics argue these charges were fabricated to oust the government. Licharz expressed frustration in his video message about his unsuccessful attempts to meet with Win Myint. The military leadership behind the coup organized elections this year, installing a nominally civilian government while maintaining control. If Licharz chooses to recognize Win Myint as President and discontinue his service in Myanmar, the Foreign Ministry stated they would have no objection.

Mathias Licharz, head of mission at the German embassy in Myanmar, has been criticized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following a Facebook video calling for the release of ousted politicians. The video, which urges authorities to free figurehead president Win Myint and former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was deemed to be inciting internal unrest by the ministry. Licharz met with Deputy Foreign Minister Ko Ko Kyaw on Tuesday, where he was warned against the content of the video and handed an aide-memoire. The video, filmed outside Win Myint's former residence, marks his 75th birthday and calls for the release of all arbitrarily detained politicians. Since the 2021 military coup, pro-democracy rebels and ethnic minority rebellions have escalated, with Win Myint still in prison. Authorities claimed in April that he had been pardoned of his post-coup convictions, but critics argue these charges were fabricated to oust the government. Licharz expressed frustration in his video message about his unsuccessful attempts to meet with Win Myint. The military leadership behind the coup organized elections this year, installing a nominally civilian government while maintaining control. If Licharz chooses to recognize Win Myint as President and discontinue his service in Myanmar, the Foreign Ministry stated they would have no objection.