1st-2nd August, 2021

Six months after the coup, the junta announced the formation of a caretaker government, with the coup leader taking position as prime minister until August 2023. Replacing the State Administration Council, the junta reshuffled some of its ministries and appointed new ethnic affairs ministers and several police colonels as ministers of transport in the states and regions. The formation of a caretaker government has been largely criticized as it does not even in line with the military drafted 2008 Constitution and it shows the junta having no intention to restore democracy. The NUG also declared the caretaker government as a terrorist organization on 2 August.

Yaw Defense Force announced on 1 August that it would not allow vehicles to pass at night due to possible clashes in Yaw areas, in Magwe Region. The YDF also announced a few days ago that it has formed an alliance with CDF-Mindat. The CDF-Hakha based in Hakha Township, Chin State, announced that it had arrested Fr. Noel Hrang Tin Thang and Saya Cung Hnin from Surkhua Town on 26 July on suspicion of having links to the junta. Despite the CDF claiming the possession of solid evidences, there have been disputes over their arrests, and demanding that they be released in order to avoid religious conflict and tarnish the image of CDF/PDF groups.

Khit Thit reported that U Kyaw Swe, a junta-appointed township administrator in Momauk Township, Kachin State, and a ward administrator were assassinated on 1 August. Before being transferred to Kachin State in May, he was the administrator of Yangon’s Hlaing Tharyar Township when about 100 civilians were killed by the junta troops.

The junta dropped the charges against some of the arrested CDM civil servants and some protesters, including head of Pathein Hospital Dr Than Min Htut, and released them on 2 August. However, on 1 August, the junta has enacted a law amending the anti-terrorism law, which seeks to crack down on those associated with the NUG and PDF.

Burma Campaign UK issued a statement on 2 August expressing concern over Arakan Army troops laying siege to a Rohingya village, Let Ma, Minbya Township, Rakhine State, and the arrests of villagers on 24 July. The AA has not yet released any announcement about the incident.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be held for about a week from 2 August and the meeting may decide on the appointment of an ASEAN Special Envoy for Myanmar, BBC reported. Brunei Deputy Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof is rumored to be the special envoy, according to Reuters. But the coup leader said in his speech that they prefers former Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Virasakdi Futrakul for the position.