Myanmar’s military government has announced it is ending the state of emergency it declared after seizing power 4 1/2 years ago.

The State Administration Council has been dissolved and a new caretaker government appointed, but the military remains firmly in charge.

Myanmar's military, which has held power since the 2021 coup, has lifted the country's state of emergency and announced that general elections will be held between December and January. The election is seen as an attempt to present a ‘transition to civilian rule’ and lend legitimacy to the military-led government both at home and abroad.