 Protestors go to the street in Yangon city, Myanmar on March 8, 2021. (photo: AFP/VNA) |
Myanmar’s political unrest began in early February after the Myanmar army seized elected leaders and charged them with election fraud. For 4 months, the international community, particularly ASEAN, has been trying to mediate the conflict and find a peaceful and constructive solution for all parties.
ASEAN and its mediatory role
In the latest announcement on the results of the working visit to Myanmar by Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof,, Chairman of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Second Foreign Minister of Brunei Darussalam, and ASEAN Secretary General Dato Lim Jock Hoi, the ASEAN Secretariat said that it was a positive visit. The announcement mentioned the five-point consensus reached at the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting on April 24th and the appointment of an ASEAN Special Envoy on Myanmar as well as how ASEAN can support constructive dialogues between parties in Myanmar. ASEAN has mentioned the possibility of providing humanitarian support to Myanmar through the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA center) in cooperation with international and non-governmental organizations.
Last Sunday, Myanmar’s State Administration Council Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, said Myanmar is ready to work with ASEAN to stabilize its internal affairs and implement the consensus.
 People in Karen state leave their village on June 2, 2021, fearing of clashes between the army and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). (photo: AFP) |
Efforts to stabilize the nation
Since 1997, Myanmar has been a member active in building the ASEAN Community and vision. Myanmar respects ASEAN’s role in promoting regional peace and stability.
During ASEAN’s integration, Myanmar has worked with other member states to find a common voice and collaborate in handling regional challenges. Helping Myanmar find a peaceful solution is important for strengthening ASEAN’s unity and its role in the international arena.
ASEAN has been working steadily to resolve the political crisis in Myanmar through dialogue and reconciliation in the best interest of Myanmar’s people. ASEAN has repeatedly said that Myanmar’s 55 million people are members of the ASEAN Community and ASEAN wants to help them.
ASEAN has called on the international community to support its efforts. ASEAN wants to be involved in UN discussions on related issues. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres recently acknowledged ASEAN’s central role in resolving the Myanmar crisis. ASEAN has pushed ahead with its mediatory role to help Myanmar quickly stabilize the situation.