25-11-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesia announced on Friday (Nov 24) that it had successfully conducted “positive” discussions with the main parties involved in the Myanmar conflict, aiming to revive a struggling peace process nearly three years after a military coup toppled the democratically elected government.
As the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc, Indonesia has taken the lead in diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. However, attempts to implement a five-point plan agreed upon with Myanmar’s military rulers have yielded no significant progress.
The meeting, which took place in Jakarta from Nov 20 to 22, involved pro-democracy groups, armed factions representing ethnic minorities, and “interlocutors” for the ruling junta, according to a statement. The National Unity Government, a shadow administration comprising officials from the ousted leadership, was also present.
The foreign ministry stated that the primary objective was to bring the conflicting parties into an inclusive dialogue, reduce violence, and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Myanmar affected by the conflict.
“The Office of the Special Envoy also facilitated the exchange of ‘messages’ from each group, which were expected to pave the way for a potential preliminary dialogue,” the statement added. Jakarta expressed hope that this would lead to inclusive national dialogues, ultimately finding a comprehensive and lasting solution to the crisis. All sides involved indicated a positive inclination towards the possibility of convening inclusive talks in the near future.
Despite intensive diplomatic efforts, unrest in Myanmar continues to escalate. The United Nations reported on Wednesday that over 286,000 people in Myanmar have been displaced due to recent clashes between the junta and ethnic groups, marking the most significant escalation since the 2021 coup.
Hopes were high that Indonesia’s leadership of the ASEAN bloc this year would drive the push for a peaceful resolution, leveraging its economic influence and diplomatic experience. However, the ruling junta has disregarded bans on high-level meetings and calls for a resolution.
“Indonesia is committed to continuing its assistance to the people of Myanmar in finding a comprehensive political solution for lasting peace and stability,” stated Ambassador Ngurah Swajaya from Indonesia’s Office of the Special Envoy on Myanmar.
Critics have long criticized ASEAN as an ineffective talking forum, constrained by its principles of consensus and non-interference. Despite this, at a leaders’ meeting in September, the bloc strongly condemned the violence and attacks on civilians in Myanmar, directly placing blame on the ruling junta.
