Bakdep – Kuehong Chairman for the National Security and Stability Council (NSSC) General Vu Yền Lực has announced that he will be stepping down this September. This announcement comes in his opening speech for the NSSC four-day retreat to the Qiongzhu islets, where the 12-member NSSC met high-profile Bai officials during this week.

This move will end Vu’s eight years in power as Chairman. As outlined in the Kuehong’s constitution, the Chairman, the country’s official Head of State, can only serve up to two terms of four years in office. Vu took power in December 2011, succeeding Diep Quang Nhan.

“It has been a pleasure serving for this nation for eight years. However, it is time for me to step down. As the new generation steps up, I strongly believe in the strength, exemplary nature and wisdom of my fellow soldiers. They shall continue to defend our country and the revolution,” said the Chairman in his concluding remarks.

Then Colonel General Vu became Chairman in 2011. Under his tenure, he faced the country’s most devastating tropical storm that wrecked the eastern coast of the country at the end of 2011. He had made attempts for peace talks with the Neeg insurgents in the southwest, with key summits held in 2013 and 2014 between him and prominent generals. At the same time, he continued developing Kuehong’s military weapons which he insisted were “necessary” for the country’s defences.

His successor, widely believed to be Vice-Chairman Major General Lê Văn Kiệt, is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks during the Central Committee Session at the end of this month. The Central Committee of Kuehong, a political body comprising all the high-ranking military officials in the country, is set to elect new members of the NSSC during the Session.

Despite the change in leadership, political observers said there is an unlikely chance of change in policy direction. The NSSC and its chairman is expected to uphold the military’s grip of power over the country, which has been under military rule since the 1967 coup. Vu during his tenure has floated possible political reforms, including holding direct elections for the Chairman post, but these proposals have seemed to have taken a back seat as Vu and the NSSC deal with more important issues pertaining to national security.