Southeast Asian countries told Myanmar’s military government on Sunday that its plan to hold elections amid an escalating civil war should not be a priority, urging the junta to start talks and immediately end hostilities.
Malaysia’s foreign minister, who holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year, said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations called on warring parties in member state Myanmar to stop fighting and asked the junta’s representative to allow unhindered humanitarian access.
“Malaysia wants to know what is in Myanmar’s mind,” Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamed Hassan told a news conference after the ministerial retreat on Langkawi island.
“We told them that elections are not the priority. Now the priority is a ceasefire.”
Myanmar has been in turmoil since early 2021 after its military overthrew the elected civilian government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking pro-democracy protests that escalated into a widespread armed insurgency that has engulfed much of the country. Many parts have been captured.
Despite being battered on many fronts, its economy in shambles and dozens of political parties banned, the junta plans to hold elections this year, which critics say would be a shame if the generals remain in power through proxies. Is widely ridiculed as.
Malaysia announced the appointment of former diplomat Othman Hashim as special envoy on the crisis in Myanmar, where the UN says humanitarian needs are at “alarming levels”, with nearly 20 million people – more than a third of the population – displaced. Need help.
Mohammed said Othman would visit Myanmar “soon”.
South China Sea a matter of concern
Othman is tasked with convincing all parties in Myanmar to implement ASEAN’s five-point peace plan, which has made no progress since it was unveiled months after the coup.
ASEAN has barred ruling generals from attending its meetings over failure to comply. Myanmar is represented by a senior diplomat.
“We want Myanmar to adhere to the five-point consensus, stop hostilities and dialogue, it’s as simple as that,” Mohammed said. “What we want is uninterrupted humanitarian aid that can reach everyone in Myanmar.”
Malaysia takes the chairmanship of the 10-member bloc as it grapples not only with the conflict in Myanmar but also with Beijing’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, the site of a heated confrontation between ASEAN member Philippines and China over trade in the region. Is a major source of. And investment.
Vietnam and Malaysia have also objected to the operation of Chinese vessels in their exclusive economic zones, which Beijing says are operating legally in its waters.
China claims sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, which is a channel for some $3 trillion of annual ship trade. China and ASEAN have committed to drafting a code of conduct for the South China Sea, but talks are progressing slowly.
Mohammed said ministers welcomed the progress so far but “highlighted the need to continue the momentum to accelerate the implementation of the code of conduct.”
The foreign minister of U.S. ally Philippines told Reuters on Saturday that now is the time to begin negotiations on complex “milestone issues” for the code, including its scope, whether it can be legally binding and the impact of third parties. Its impact on states is included.
