This photo taken on February 13, 2018 shows Myanmar's President Htin Kyaw leaving after the signing ceremony for a ceasefire agreement of armed ethnic groups New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) in Naypyidaw. Myanmar's president and Aung San Suu Kyi's right-hand man Htin Kyaw stepped down on March 21 after two years in the position, his office said. Pic/ AFP 

Myanmar's President Htin Kyaw resigned suddenly today leaving the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi without a close confidant and political ally as she faces rising international opprobrium over the Rakhine crisis. The president is an old school friend of Suu Kyi, serving as her proxy in an office she was barred from occupying according to Myanmar's military-drafted constitution. His role was largely ceremonial given Suu Kyi had awarded herself the title State Counsellor and called the shots within her civilian administration.