Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Myanmar Government Revokes UN Envoy Kyaw Moe Tun’s Status
Myanmar’s military took power in a coup, but Kyaw Moe Tun continued representing the earlier government at the United Nations.
In February 2021, he asked other countries not to recognize the military government.
The military-backed government says he disobeyed instructions and did illegal things.
It says he was dismissed from government service on February 27, 2021.
The government has now said his UN representative status is revoked.
However, the UN has not made a final decision about who represents Myanmar.
A UN committee is expected to discuss the issue after the General Assembly meets.
Supporters of Kyaw Moe Tun and Myanmar’s parallel civilian government have campaigned to help him keep his position.
Myanmar’s military-backed government said Kyaw Moe Tun’s status as its UN permanent representative was revoked and withdrawn.
The government accused him of undertaking illegal activities and said he had been dismissed from the civil service on February 27, 2021.
Kyaw Moe Tun appealed to the UN on February 26, 2021, urging countries not to legitimize Myanmar’s military after its coup.
His position has remained unchanged at the UN because the Credentials Committee deferred a decision on Myanmar’s representation.
Myanmar said it is seeking legal action through INTERPOL, United States agencies and diplomatic channels, alleging unauthorized use of state property and mission funds.
- Who
- Myanmar’s military-backed government and Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmar’s UN permanent representative appointed by the previous government.
- What
- The government revoked and withdrew Kyaw Moe Tun’s status and said it was seeking legal action against him.
- When
- The government’s announcement was reported on Sunday, September 13; Kyaw Moe Tun was dismissed from the civil service on February 27, 2021.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Myanmar’s representation at the United Nations and related diplomatic channels.
- Why
- The government accused Kyaw Moe Tun of illegal activities, disobeying instructions, and unauthorized use of state property and mission funds while working with the National Unity Government.
Myanmar Government Position
Kyaw Moe Tun and Supporters’ Position
Authority to represent Myanmar
Myanmar Government Position
The military-backed government says Kyaw Moe Tun’s status has been revoked and that he no longer has authority to represent Myanmar.
Kyaw Moe Tun and Supporters’ Position
Kyaw Moe Tun has continued in the role appointed by the previous government, while pro-democracy groups and the National Unity Government have campaigned to help him retain it.
Conduct and alleged wrongdoing
Myanmar Government Position
The government says he undertook illegal activities, disobeyed instructions, and improperly used state property and mission funds.
Kyaw Moe Tun and Supporters’ Position
Kyaw Moe Tun’s supporters have backed his continued representation and his opposition to legitimizing the military, while the provided reports do not include a response to the government’s specific allegations.
UN recognition
Myanmar Government Position
Myanmar is seeking action through legal and diplomatic channels against him.
Kyaw Moe Tun and Supporters’ Position
His status remains unchanged at the United Nations because the Credentials Committee has deferred a decision on Myanmar’s representation.
- Government action
- Myanmar said Kyaw Moe Tun’s status as its UN permanent representative was revoked and withdrawn.
- Civil-service dismissal
- The government said he was dismissed on February 27, 2021, for failing to follow instructions.
- UN appeal
- On February 26, 2021, Kyaw Moe Tun urged the international community not to legitimize the military.
- UN status
- His position has remained unchanged because the UN Credentials Committee deferred a decision on Myanmar’s representation.
- Expected review
- The Credentials Committee is expected to meet after the UN General Assembly in New York later this month.
- Allegations
- Myanmar accused him of unauthorized use of state property and mission funds while working with the National Unity Government.
- Legal efforts
- The government said it is working through INTERPOL, United States agencies and diplomatic channels to seek legal action.