Myanmar's former leader speaks after five years of isolation

Aung San Suu Kyi, the 81 year old former head of Myanmar's government, is alive and in good physical health. Her son, Kim Aris, made this assessment after a phone call that marked the first contact with her in more than five years. Aris said she sounds mentally sharp and physically strong. However, he believes she is living in near total solitary confinement in the capital.

Aris spoke to reporters on Thursday at the Myanmar embassy in London. He described the location of his mother as an unspecified, fenced off residence in Naypyidaw. He said the property is surrounded by scrubby land. He does not believe she has anyone around her except military or police personnel. This arrangement means she is essentially alone, without newspapers, radio, or television.

Suu Kyi was removed from power during a military coup in 2021. Since that takeover, she has been held in various locations. The military government has occasionally released photos of her to show she is alive. Last week, officials shared images of her smiling in a room with wood paneling. She was shown holding two gardening books given to her by King Charles of Britain. A calendar on the wall confirmed the date. Aris called these photo releases familiar stunts used by the regime to suggest fair treatment.

The junta has been working to improve its image abroad. In April, the former junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, switched from military fatigues to civilian clothes. This change followed elections that many observers criticized as a sham. Aris said the invitation to speak with his mother was part of a public relations campaign by the military leaders.

Suu Kyi led a brief period of democratic opening after her party won a 2015 election. She served as state counsellor in a power sharing arrangement with the military. Her international standing dropped after mass killings and expulsions of Rohingya Muslims in 2016 and 2017. At the International Court of Justice, she acknowledged that military units might have used disproportionate force. She defended the government against accusations of genocide.

Aris pushed back against the idea that his mother was silent on the crisis. He said her views could fill volumes. He noted that under her leadership, Myanmar started a domestic inquiry and appointed former UN chief Kofi Annan to lead a commission. He also said she was always walking on a tightrope, knowing the military could remove her power at any time.

The 2021 takeover triggered a civil war that conflict monitors say has killed more than 100,000 people. Aris said global support for his mother has dwindled since the Rohingya crisis. He added that the whole country now suffers from a lack of international attention. He said the fact that people ignore what is happening in Burma should not be down to what was being done to the Rohingya.

Aris said his mother has been locked up for five years on politically motivated charges. He said she should be free. He described the situation as a complete shut off from the rest of the world. The next step in the diplomatic process remains unclear as the military continues to manage its international relations.