Statement on SOAS alumnus detained in Myanmar

18 February 2021

We are deeply concerned to hear of the detainment of SOAS alumnus Dr Bo Bo Nge in Myanmar following the military coup which took place 1 February.

Dr Bo Bo Nge completed his PhD at SOAS in 2019 on financial reforms in Myanmar. In 2017 he was appointed as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar under Aung San Suu Kyi's leadership of the country. He has been detained for nine days and has had no communication with his family in this time.

The UK Government has condemned the coup and the unlawful detention of figures in the Civilian Government and civil society by the military and called for the democratic wishes of the people of Myanmar to be respected.

SOAS has a number of alumni and researchers actively working on projects seeking to protect good governance and democracy in our regions, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. We support the work of our community in this field and call for Dr Bo Bo Nge’s immediate and safe release.