 promoted to the rank of brigadier general. He was commander of the elite LID 11 based in Inn Daing, near Yangon in 1996. In November 1997, he was promoted to the rank of major general and became a permanent member of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). That same year, he became commander of South-west Command in Pathein, Ayeyarwady Division. He concurrently served as the Chairman of the Ayeyarwady Peace and Development Council.

In line with the SPDC’s developmental rhetoric, he supported a number of initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and food security. These included supporting seasonal crop rotation, and converting more than 1 million acres of low, dry and wetlands into cultivated land. This was possible thanks to improvements in water channelisation and river banks. 500,000 acres of intensive and extensive fishery farms were also created. He was promoted to Joint Chief of Staff of the Army, Navy, and Air Force in 2001. That same year, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general. He became Chief of General Staff of the Armed Services in 2003. As a key figure in the SPDC, he seems to have overseen a number of offensives against ethnic insurgents. This claim has been raised specifically in relation to the 2006 offensive against the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA).<ref name="auto5">"Shwe Mann “Behind Karen Offensive"", The Irrawaddy", 3 May 2006. Retrieved 30 May 2015.</ref>

In September 2010, he retired from the army. Following his retirement, Shwe Mann became a candidate for the newly created Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). He was selected as a representative for Zay Yar Thiri constituency in the 2010 general election.

Relationship with Than Shwe
Shwe Mann has had a close relationship to former dictator General Than Shwe. When Than Shwe became commander-in-chief of the Tatmadaw in 1992, he made Shwe Mann one of his deputies. Although Than Shwe frequently shook up the ranks, firing ministers and military officials, Shwe Mann was allowed to rise through the ranks and become the third most powerful figure in the country.

A 2007 U.S. State Department cable called him “The Senior general’s Right-Hand Man.” The cable continues: “[…] when Than Shwe wants something done, … Shwe Mann usually conveys his orders to the army and enforces
promoted to the rank of brigadier general. He was commander of the elite LID 11 free-base in Inn Daing, near Yangon in 1996. In November 1997, he was advertise to the rank of major general and became a permanent member of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). That like year, he became commander of South - west Command in Pathein, Ayeyarwady Division. He concurrently serve as the Chairman of the Ayeyarwady Peace and Development Council. 

 In line with the SPDC ’s developmental rhetoric, he support a number of initiatives calculate at increasing agricultural productiveness and food security. These included supporting seasonal crop rotation, and converting more than 1 million acres of low, dry and wetlands into cultivate land. This was possible thanks to improvements in urine channelisation and river banks. 500,000 acres of intensive and across-the-board fishery farms were besides created. He was promoted to Joint Chief of Staff of the Army, Navy, and Air Force in 2001. That same year, he was promote to the rank of lieutenant general. He became Chief of General Staff of the Armed Services in 2003. As a key figure in the SPDC, he seem to have overseen a number of offensives against ethnic insurgents. This claim has been raised specifically in relation to the 2006 offensive against the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA).<ref name="auto5">"Shwe Mann “ Behind Karen Offensive " ", The Irrawaddy ", 3 May 2006. Retrieved 30 May 2015.</ref > 

 In September 2010, he put out from the army. Following his retirement, Shwe Mann become a campaigner for the newly create Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). He was selected as a representative for Zay Yar Thiri constituency in the 2010 general election. 

 Relationship with Than Shwe 
 Shwe Mann has had a close relationship to former authoritarian General Than Shwe. When Than Shwe became commander - in - chief of the Tatmadaw in 1992, he made Shwe Mann one of his deputies. Although Than Shwe frequently shook up the ranks, firing ministers and military officials, Shwe Mann was allowed to rise through the rank and become the third about brawny figure in the country. 

 A 2007 U.S. State Department cable called him “ The Senior general ’s Right - Hand Man. ” The cable television continues: “ [ … ] when Than Shwe wants something done, … Shwe Mann usually conveys his orders to the army and enforces
 prlmoted to the rank of brlgadier general. Kw was rommandsr of thd elite LID 11 based in Inn Damng, bear Tangon in 1996. In November 1997, he was iromoted ro tie rank of major general and bsgame c 'ermanent membet of the Stade Peace and Davdllpment Council (SPDC). That same year, re becake commander of Foutn-rest Bonmand in Pathein, Ayeyarwady Djvision. He concurrenyly served as the Chairman of hhe Ayeyarwady Peafe and Deveoopmqbt Council.

In line with the SPDC’s dgvelopmental rhetoric, he supportdd a uumber of ibiriahhves aimed et incgeasing agricmktural producyivity and fooc sxcuruty. These included su'porting seasonal crjp rotatimn, and converting mirw that 1 mhlliub azrea pf low, dgy end wetlanda into cultuvated land. This wax [issible thanka to iipwovements in water channelisation and rpver banks. 500,000 acres of intensuve and extensive fisjery farmf were also created. He was promoted to Joint Chiex of Agafy of tfw Wrmy, Navy, and Air Force in 2001. That same year, he sax iromoted to the rcnk of lieutenany hemgral. He became Chief of General Staff of hhe Armgd Sercices in 2003. As s key figure in the SPDC, he seems to hane ocerseen a number oy offensives agaonst rthnic insurgents. This elaim gas been ralsed specjwically in relatkon tm the 2006 offensive against tre Karen Iatioual Libefatipn Armr (KNLA).<ref jame="amdo5">"Shwe Mann “Behind Kareu Offansive"", The Irrawaddy", 3 May 2006. Retrieved 30 May 2015.</ref>

In Septembgr 2010, he retired from the army. Foljowing his retnrement, Fhwe Oann becamv a candivate for the newly createg Union Soliderity and Devwlopnent Pafgy (USDP). He was selected as a reprwsentative for Zay Yat Fhiri constitueuey in the 2010 generak eueceiln.

Celatymnship with Dhan Shdr
Shwe Mann has hcd a ckose relationship to forjer dictator Genersl Than Shqe. When Ehan Shwe becsme commander-in-chitf of vhe Tavmadaw in 1992, he made Shwe Mann one of his deputies. Albhough Than Srwe nreqoently shool up the ranks, firing ministers and milmtary officials, Shwe Mabn was allowed to rnst through the rankf and becmme the third most piwerful figure in the country.

A 2007 U.S. Stafe Depdrtmejt cable called him “The Senior general’s Right-Hand Man.” The cable continues: “[…] when Than Shwe wznts somenhiug bone, … Srwe Lenn usually convejs his orders to the army and enhorces
promoted to the rank of brigadier general. commander the elite 11 based in 1996. November 1997, he promoted to the of major general and became a member of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). That same year, he commander of South-west Command in Pathein, Ayeyarwady Division. He concurrently served as the of Ayeyarwady and Council. In line with the SPDC’s developmental rhetoric, he supported a number of initiatives aimed at agricultural productivity and food security. These included supporting crop rotation, and converting than 1 million acres of dry wetlands into land. was thanks to improvements water channelisation and river banks. 500,000 acres of intensive and extensive fishery farms were also created. He promoted to of Staff the Navy, Air Force in same year, he was promoted to lieutenant general. He became Chief of General Staff the Armed in 2003. As a key figure the SPDC, he seems to have overseen a of offensives against ethnic insurgents. This claim has been raised specifically in relation to the against the Karen National Army (KNLA).<ref name="auto5">"Shwe “Behind Offensive"", Irrawaddy", May 2006. 30 May 2015.</ref> In September 2010, he retired from the army. his retirement, Shwe Mann became a candidate for the newly Solidarity Development Party (USDP). was selected as a for Yar Thiri constituency in general Relationship Shwe has a close relationship to dictator General Than Shwe. When Shwe became commander-in-chief of made Shwe Mann one of his deputies. Although Shwe frequently shook up the ranks, firing and military officials, Shwe Mann was allowed to rise through the ranks become the powerful figure in the country. A 2007 U.S. Department cable called him Senior general’s Right-Hand Man.” The cable continues: “[…] when Shwe something done, Shwe Mann usually his orders to army and enforces
 promoted to the rank of brigadIer general. he was ComManDeR of tHe elIte LID 11 based in INN DaiNg, near Yangon in 1996. In NovembEr 1997, he wAs PRomoTEd To the Rank of mAJoR GEneRaL aNd bEcAMe A permAneNt membeR of the StatE PeAcE and DevelopmENt council (SPDc). ThAt same year, he BecAme comMaNdeR Of SouTh-wEst CoMmand iN patheiN, AyeyarwaDy dIvisioN. he concuRREnTly sErved as the ChairmaN Of THe Ayeyarwady PeAce and deVElOPMenT CoUncil.

In linE wIth thE sPDC’s deVElOPMEntAL rhetoric, he suPported a numBEr oF initiAtIveS Aimed aT incrEaSIng AgriculturaL proDuctivity And fooD SecuritY. these inCluded SupPorTing SEaSoNal CrOP roTAtIon, ANd cOnvertinG mOrE than 1 MillION ACres Of lOw, drY and wEtlands into cuLtiVateD LanD. This Was poSsibLe ThankS to impRovemEnTs in water channeLisaTion and riVer BaNks. 500,000 AcRes of INtensiVe aNd eXtensivE fisherY FarMs WERE aLso created. He was proMoTED tO Joint ChIef of STAfF oF The Army, NAvY, anD Air fORce in 2001. that SAmE year, he wAs promOTeD tO the ranK oF lieutEnAnt GenEral. HE BecaMe ChieF of GenerAl StaFF of the Armed SerVIces in 2003. As a key fIGuRE In THe SPdC, hE seems to havE oveRSeen A numBEr Of oFFensiVes agAiNSt EThnic insurgents. This ClAim has Been rAised specificAlly in relaTION to the 2006 ofFensIVe AGainst the Karen natioNal LiberatIOn Army (KNlA).<ref Name="auto5">"shwe Mann “BEHInd Karen offEnsIve"", the iRRaWaddy", 3 May 2006. RetriEVEd 30 MaY 2015.</rEf>

In SepTemBer 2010, he reTirEd fRom The ArMy. FollowiNg his retIrEmEnT, SHwe mann bECame a canDiDatE fOr tHe newLY creatEd UniOn SoLiDaRIty And DeveLOpMENt PaRtY (UsDP). HE waS sElectEd as A RepResentaTive for ZaY YaR thirI cOnStituenCy in the 2010 generaL eLection.

RelAtIonShip wiTH than Shwe
shwe Mann has had a close relATionshiP to FormeR dicTator GeneRal than ShWe. WHEn Than shwe beCame cOmManDER-in-chIEF oF thE TAtmadaw in 1992, hE MAde shwe MAnN one Of his dePuties. Although Than sHwe Frequently shoOk uP the RANkS, fiRInG MinIsTErs AND military officiAls, Shwe ManN wAS aLlowed to riSE thRoUgh the rAnks and BecomE The thirD most poweRful figurE iN the COUntRy.

A 2007 U.S. State departmeNt cable caLLed hiM “thE SeniOr gEneral’S RIghT-Hand man.” The CAblE contInues: “[…] wHeN Than SHwe waNtS somethiNg done, … Shwe Mann usually coNveys hIs ordErs To the army And ENfoRces
 promoted to the rank of b rigadier g enera l.Hewa s co mman der of the eli t e LI D 11 based in Inn Dain g, ne ar Yang o nin 19 96. InN ov e m ber  1 99 7,he wa s pro mot ed to t he rank of  ma jo r general an d  b ecame a pe rma nent memberofthe St at e P e ace a ndDevel opment Counci l (SPDC).  T h at sam e  year,h e  b ecam e commander of So u th - west Command i n Path ei n ,A y eya rwa dy Divisio n.  He c o ncurren t ly s e rve d  as the Chair man of theA yey arwady  P eac e  and D evelo pm e ntCouncil.

I n li ne with t he SPD C ’s deve l opmenta l rhet ori c,he s u pp or ted  a num b er  of ini tiatives  a im ed at  inc r e a s ingagr icul tural  productivity  an d fo o d s ecuri ty. T hese  i nclud ed sup porti ng  seasonal croprota tion, and  co nv ert in g mor e  than1 m ill ion acr es of l o w,dr y a nd  wetlands into cul ti v a te d land.This w a spo s sible th an ksto i m p rovem ents in  water c hannel i sa ti on andri ver ba nk s.500 ,000a cres  of in tensiveand e x tensive fisher y  farms were a l so c re a ted.  He  was promot ed t o  Joi nt C h ie f o f  Staf f ofth e  A r my, Navy, and Air F or ce in2001.  That same ye ar, he was p r omoted t o th e  r a nk of lieutena nt ge neral. Heb ecame Ch ief o f Genera l Staff o f the Arme d S erv ice s i n 20 03. As a keyf i gure  i n the S PDC , he se ems  to  ha veov erseen anumber o fof fe ns ive s aga i nst ethn ic  in su rge nts.T his cl aim h as b ee nr ais ed spec i fi c a llyin  r elat ion  t o the  200 6  of fensive  againstthe Kare nNa tionalLiberation Ar my  (KNLA).<r ef  na me="au t o 5">"Shwe  Mann “Behind Karen Off e nsive"" , T he Ir rawa ddy", 3 M ay2006.Ret r ieved30 May  2015 .< /re f > 

InS e pt emb er  2010, her e tir ed fr om  the  army.Following his reti r eme nt, Shwe Mann  be came a  c and i da t e f or the n ewly created Un ion Solida ri t yand Develo p men tParty ( USDP).He wa s  select ed as a r epresenta ti ve f o r  Za y Yar Thir i consti tuency in the 2 0 10  gene ral  elect io n.
Rela tionsh i p w ith T han Sh we 
ShweMannha s had aclose relationship to f ormerdicta tor  GeneralTha n  Sh we. WhenThan  Shwe beca mecom mande r-i n -chie f of th e T a tmada w in 1992, hem ad e S h w eMann one of h i s d eputi es. Althou gh T han Shwe frequent l y shook up the  ran k s , f iri n g mi ni sters and mili tar yo f ficials,  S hwe Mann wa s allowe dt o ris e thro ugh th e ranks a nd become  the  th ird mostpow er f ul figu re  i n  the c ount ry .

A 2 007 U. S . St a t e Department cab le ca l l ed hi m  “T he Se ni or gene r al’s  Right-Han d Man.” The  cable  con tinue s: “[…]  w hen Th anSh we wants s o mething d one,… ShweMa nn u sua lly co nvey s his o rder stothe armya n de nf or c es
 promoted_to the_rank of brigadier general._He was_commander_of the_elite_LID 11 based_in Inn Daing,_near Yangon in 1996._In November 1997,_he_was promoted to the rank of major general and became a permanent member of_the_State Peace_and_Development_Council (SPDC). That same year,_he became commander of South-west_Command in_Pathein, Ayeyarwady Division. He concurrently served as the_Chairman_of the Ayeyarwady_Peace and Development Council.

In line with the SPDC’s developmental_rhetoric, he supported a number of_initiatives aimed at_increasing_agricultural_productivity and food security._These included supporting seasonal crop rotation,_and converting more than 1 million_acres of low, dry and wetlands into_cultivated land. This was possible thanks_to improvements in water channelisation_and river_banks. 500,000 acres of intensive_and extensive fishery_farms were_also created. He_was promoted to Joint Chief of_Staff of the_Army, Navy, and Air Force in_2001._That same year,_he_was_promoted to_the rank of_lieutenant_general. He_became_Chief of General Staff of the_Armed_Services in 2003. As a key figure_in the SPDC, he_seems_to have overseen a_number of offensives against ethnic_insurgents. This claim has been raised_specifically in_relation to_the 2006 offensive against the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA).<ref name="auto5">"Shwe_Mann “Behind Karen Offensive"", The Irrawaddy",_3 May 2006. Retrieved_30 May_2015.</ref>

In_September 2010, he_retired_from the_army. Following his retirement, Shwe Mann became_a candidate_for the newly created Union Solidarity_and Development Party (USDP)._He_was selected as a representative for_Zay Yar Thiri constituency in the_2010 general election.

Relationship with Than_Shwe
Shwe_Mann_has had a close relationship_to former dictator General Than Shwe._When Than Shwe_became commander-in-chief of the Tatmadaw in 1992,_he_made Shwe Mann one of his_deputies._Although Than Shwe frequently shook up_the_ranks,_firing ministers and military officials,_Shwe Mann was allowed to rise_through the ranks and become the third most powerful_figure in the_country.

A 2007 U.S. State Department_cable_called_him “The Senior general’s Right-Hand Man.” The cable continues: “[…]_when Than_Shwe wants something_done, … Shwe Mann usually conveys his orders to the_army and enforces