27 October 2025
Myanmar: Violence and elections criticized by ASEAN, UN
The situation in Myanmar remains a cause for concern among ASEAN countries as years of violence under the military junta continue and its promise of free and fair elections rings hollower than ever.
Speaking about the situation to reporters on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the ongoing violence in Myanmar “reprehensible”, and said the country’s behavior threatened regional stability.
Guterres said the junta had “imposed calamity upon calamity” on the country’s people since seizing power in a 2021 military coup, adding, “I reiterate my call for an immediate end to the violence, a genuine commitment to inclusive dialogue, and a credible path to civilian rule.”
Despite the civil war, the junta has promised a return to democratic rule with elections to be held by the end of the year, but the vote has already drawn a ban on opposition parties, rebel groups and a shadow government boycott, and the military leadership has acknowledged some parts of the country will not vote.
Diplomatic sources in the ASEAN grouping also told AFP news agency on Monday that election observers would not be sent to Myanmar in December, denying the junta’s international legitimacy.
On Sunday, ASEAN leaders expressed “deep concern” over the violence in Myanmar and warned of the “lack of concrete progress” toward peace.
“There must be an end to violence and inclusive political dialogue before the elections,” the bloc said in a statement.
UN special envoy Tom Andrews had earlier urged ASEAN not to “legitimize the junta’s moves” by sending monitors, warning that “recognizing the fraudulent election would be setting Myanmar back and defending the inevitable.”
Although Myanmar remains a member of ASEAN, its junta leaders have been barred from meetings of the bloc since the coup.