The ongoing conflicts in Myanmar have cross-dimensional and perilous ramifications in the entire ASEAN region as well as the Indian subcontinent. The recent flare-ups including murderous assaults on the peace movements against the unpopular administration have sent dismal signals across democracies. A concrete roadmap with long-term strategies is being worked out by foreign ministers of all ASEAN foreign ministers.
Asia and South East Nations (ASEAN) expressed serious concern about the recent turmoil in Myanmar on Friday while keeping Myanmar’s JUNTA out of any representation in its high-level meetings. It reiterated to review ‘Myanmar’s representations’ only after the situation improves to reasonable levels.
Foreign Ministers to develop tangible and long-term plans
ASEAN foreign ministers have been assigned to develop a tangible and long-term strategy to implement its “five-point consensus”, a road map for peace in Myanmar.
A series of measures have been announced by the 10-nation league trying to resolve the political and humanitarian crisis that has gripped ‘Myanmar’ since the February 2021 coup.
The decision to task the foreign ministers to strategize its specific action plans was taken during the 40th and 41st ASEAN plenary summits in Phnom Penh – both held on the same day – where Myanmar again was not represented.
Myanmar illegitimate Govt. has been barred to attend ASEAN meetings
The Myanmar Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin have been penalized by barring them from high-level ASEAN meetings for being non-committal in the ASEAN road map for peace. Also the present ‘Myanmar Military Junta’ has been attributed as a ‘non-political illegitimate representative of the country.
Predictably the ‘Junta’ has alleged that this amounts to interference in the internal affairs of ‘Myanmar’.
The ‘ASEAN” has deliberately exposed its stand against the Myanmar discredited government by keeping a chair left empty in front of the Myanmar flag during the opening ceremony at Friday’s summit.
Speaking at the 41st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh on Friday, Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsein Loong stressed strengthening efforts and said “Given the worsening situation, for us to weaken this position would be the wrong thing to do. Even maintaining this position fails to reflect the gravity of the situation.”
ASEAN cannot be held hostage by one member state’s inability to fulfil its obligations
PM Lee informed that the decisions have been taken by the remaining 9-member states, as there was no political representative from Myanmar at ministerial-level meetings. ASEAN’s work must carry on, “We cannot be held back, or held hostage by one member state’s inability to fulfil its obligations” he added. Lee urged all to remain united amid worsening geopolitical situations.
The road map for peace which was drafted by ASEAN in April 2021 was followed by intermittent political violence by JUNTA-backed militias who attacked the innocent locals with covert support from shady soldiers. More than 7000 civilians have been executed and one million forced to flee to safer destinations, for carrying a peaceful movement against the illegitimate coercive administration. Besides, the JUNTA has illegally imprisoned key political rivals including the most popular democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
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Indonesia called for more stringent actions beyond ASEAN
Indonesia has called for more stringent actions against the present administration while appealing to other International bodies ASEAN for banning the JUNTA administration.
A prolonged crisis in Myanmar can be detrimental to ASEAN’s capability to withstand the ongoing intensified cold war between China and the US.
The special envoy to the ASEAN chair further pledged to engage all stakeholders flexibly and informally.
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Indonesian President Joko Widodo stressed engaging all stakeholders in Myanmar immediately because only by opening dialogues with all parties can ASEAN facilitate a national dialogue as mandated by the five-point consensus”.
Adding credibility to ASEAN’s neutrality and the principle of non-interference, it was decided that the 9-member body will not support a general election because under the present MILITARY JUNTA that does not remain fair and inclusive.
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