Military Junta

A military junta is a government led by a committee of military leaders who have typically seized power through a coup d'état. The junta rules by decree and maintains control through military force, often suspending or replacing civilian institutions of governance.

Military juntas usually arise when the military intervenes in politics to overthrow a civilian government, citing reasons such as political instability, corruption, or national security threats. Juntas may promise transition to civilian rule but often maintain power for extended periods.

Military juntas have been common throughout history, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Contemporary examples include Myanmar (since the 2021 coup) and several countries in the Sahel region of Africa. Most juntas eventually transition back to civilian rule, though the timeline varies greatly.

Key Characteristics

• Military officers hold supreme political power
• Power typically seized through coup d'état
• Civilian institutions suspended or subordinated
• Rule by decree rather than through legislative processes
• Civil liberties often severely restricted
• Media censorship and control of information
• Transitional government often promised but not always delivered