Although the results of the emergency summit are more interventionist than ASEAN usually is regarding member-states’ politics, the summit and its declaration still have huge flaws. As
Frontier Myanmar noted, “the regional bloc ultimately reached a five-point consensus that Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said [junta leader] Min Aung Hlaing ‘considered helpful’, which sounds ominous.”
It is true that an envoy, particularly one with significant clout, could potentially have some impact on the ground in Myanmar, and try to bring forth a cessation of violence, which certainly would be positive. But the five-point statement fails to address multiple issues. First, while a special envoy and a commitment to humanitarian assistance could pave the way for greater aid, it was already possible to provide humanitarian aid, as Myanmar specialist Kim Jolliffe has noted the problem has been the challenges thrown up by the military and the chaos.
Myanmar Junta Says ASEAN’s Views Will Be Considered After Stability Returns
Myanmar Junta Says ASEAN’s Views Will Be Considered After Stability Returns
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (second left) is greeted by his fellow generals and members of the State Administrative Council upon his return to Naypyitaw after attending the ASEAN summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on April 24. / New Light of Myanmar
586
By The Irrawaddy 27 April 2021
The Myanmar military junta chief said he would carefully consider ASEAN leaders’ recommended steps for solving the political crisis in his country after the situation stabilizes.
The governing body of the regime, the State Administration Council (SAC), announced in a statement on Monday that junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said stability is the current priority in the crisis-hit country, including maintaining law and order and restoring community peace and tranquility. He was responding to ASEAN leaders’ “consensus” at their Sa
SHARE
The credibility of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) was at stake in the run-up to what was widely billed as an emergency summit on Myanmar over the weekend. The international community reacted with condemnation and sanctions to the military coup that displaced the country’s democratically elected government in February, but thus far nothing has even stalled the junta’s jailing of critics and campaign of repression and killing.
If Asean “centrality” – the notion that Asean should be the driving force or at least pivotal to any discussions or actions in the region – was to mean anything at all, the 10-member group Myanmar has been part of since 1997, had to take some kind of stand. With the coup leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, present at talks in Jakarta, would Asean pass the test? Or would it reveal itself to be truly “Nato” – no action, talk only – toothless in the face of a member state potentially descending into civil war or e
Myanmar s National Unity Government Disappointed With ASEAN Consensus irrawaddy.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from irrawaddy.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Myanmar Regime’s Violence Continues Unabated Despite Plea From ASEAN
Myanmar Regime’s Violence Continues Unabated Despite Plea From ASEAN
Young protesters staged a protest on Saturday morning calling ASEAN not to endorse military regime in Yangon. / CJ
286
By The Irrawaddy 26 April 2021
The Association of South East Asian Nations called for the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar on Saturday, but the junta’s brutality has continued unabated.
Even as the ASEAN leaders sat with coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Jakarta on Saturday, his troops killed at least three civilians, including a student, and continued brutal crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators demanding the restoration of democracy.