8-8-2023 (JAKARTA) On Tuesday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasized the need for “political will” from all parties involved to find a resolution to the prolonged Myanmar crisis, which has entered its third year. As tensions persist, Southeast Asian nations are intensifying their diplomatic efforts to address the situation.
Since the military coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi two years ago, Myanmar has been plagued by violence and instability. Suu Kyi has faced a staggering 19 criminal charges, including corruption and violating Covid-19 regulations.
During an anniversary event for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), President Widodo acknowledged the numerous challenges in Myanmar and stressed that a resolution could only be achieved through the collective political will of all parties involved. He urged the 10-member bloc, which includes Myanmar, to maintain unity and work together to find a breakthrough for the crisis.
“Asean, as a large ship, must continue moving forward. This ship cannot sink because it carries the responsibility for hundreds of millions of people,” President Widodo stated, addressing foreign dignitaries present at the event.
Indonesia, as the current chair of ASEAN, is set to host a leaders’ summit in September. The country has been engaging in what it terms “quiet diplomacy” with Myanmar’s military junta, in an effort to bring them back to the negotiating table. President Widodo affirmed that ASEAN’s approach to resolving the crisis would continue to follow the principles outlined in a five-point agreement reached with Myanmar’s junta two years ago.
However, the military junta has largely disregarded this agreement, which aims to halt violence and resume dialogue between the military and the anti-coup movement.
Since the coup in 2021, ASEAN has grappled with divisions over how to engage with the junta and has excluded them from high-level summits due to their lack of progress on the five-point agreement.
Thailand has pursued an alternative path, conducting “informal talks” with the junta’s foreign minister. Last month, Bangkok’s top diplomat announced that he had met with deposed democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and confirmed her good health.
Subsequently, the junta granted Suu Kyi, who is 78 years old, a partial pardon, reducing her 33-year sentence by six years.
