6-9-2023 (YANGON) The Myanmar junta has downplayed the recent decision by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to revoke its chairmanship of the regional bloc in 2026. The junta emphasized that it has other pressing priorities, including preparations for forthcoming elections, which the Western world views as fraudulent.
Since the military coup that took place over two years ago, violence in Myanmar has escalated. In response to this situation, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared on Tuesday that his country is prepared to step in and assume leadership of the 10-nation ASEAN in three years. Notably, Myanmar has not been invited to participate in ASEAN meetings since the coup in 2021.
Junta spokesman Maj Gen Zaw Min Tun conveyed the junta’s perspective, stating, “There are a lot of things to do with preparations for general elections, restoring stability, and the rule of law, which we will mainly prioritize.” He also warned that potential disturbances could arise if Myanmar were to assume the ASEAN chairmanship.
Despite ASEAN’s diplomatic efforts to address the violence in Myanmar, the bloc remains deeply divided regarding its approach to engaging with the military regime, which has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of its citizens. The bloc’s five-point consensus, formally reaffirmed on Tuesday, has faced criticism for its perceived slow response to the Myanmar crisis.
In the consensus document, the region commits to seeking support from external partners while condemning “continued acts of violence in Myanmar, which have caused prolonged suffering among the people, a humanitarian crisis, destruction of public facilities, and adverse impacts on regional stability, particularly along the border region.”
However, Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry, in a televised broadcast on Tuesday evening, expressed dissatisfaction with the document. The ministry contended that Myanmar’s perspectives were not adequately considered, deeming the reviews as non-objective and decisions as biased and one-sided.
Meanwhile, Myanmar’s junta, currently engaged in multiple conflicts with various ethnic armed groups across the nation, continues to employ force to suppress its citizens and political opponents critical of its authoritarian rule. In July, the military extended the state of emergency, effectively postponing the election. Leaders of military-backed political parties, including the Union Solidarity and Development Party and the Arakan Front Party, have indicated that Myanmar is likely to hold elections in 2025.
