Yangon: An armed forces shake-up in military-controlled Myanmar has surprised even the soldiers as the ruling junta gears up for a November election in which its civilian proxies are expecting a resounding victory.
Dozens of generals have been promoted or have retired in one of the biggest overhauls of the top brass in decades, a move analysts say is aimed at tightening the military leadership's grip on power, both in the barracks and in the political arena.
"Whoever goes where, or what role they are given, everyone knows the direction this shake-up is going," said Aung Zaw, editor of the Thai-based Irrawaddy magazine.
"The regime is preparing for the preservation of the military and the future government, ensuring its people are in key positions to guarantee their smooth landing when they retire."
Military insiders say those who are retiring, many of them years before the mandatory age, will run as politicians in a party set up by the regime to ensure control of the parliament that will emerge from elections on November 7.
Those promoted to plum military posts will be trusted proteges groomed to protect the institution's financial and political interests and prop up a new government sure to be made up largely of retired, obedient soldiers in civilian clothing.
The military and its mouthpiece, the state-controlled media, have been silent on the reshuffle.
"It's a bit early to know for certain what has happened to whom," a military source told Reuters, requesting anonymity for fear of repercussions.
"Of course, those newly promoted are very happy, but so far as I understand, most of those outgoing were caught by surprise when they heard they had to leave," he said.
