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Elections

ASEAN Stakeholders Urge Collective Action to End Myanmar's Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The National Unity Government (NUG) together with NGOs has issued a pressing call to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stakeholders to address the current crisis in Myanmar and the approaching junta elections. In a concerted effort, key stakeholders including representatives from the NUG, the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), and various Ethnic Resistance Organisations (EROs) have come together to discuss the ongoing crisis, develop strategies, and reaffirm their commitment to restoring democracy and upholding human rights.

Key Takeaways:

  • Stakeholders condemned the junta's planned sham elections as a facade designed to entrench military rule under the guise of democratic reform, directly defying ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus.
  • The meeting emphasized the importance of solidarity among all forces in advancing a shared vision for a federal democratic Myanmar, calling for decisive ASEAN action to translate the Five-Point Consensus into tangible, time-bound measures.
  • Stakeholders called for immediate and sustained humanitarian support, cross-border delivery mechanisms, and partnerships with local and community-based organizations to ensure aid reaches those most in need.
  • The meetings reaffirmed that durable peace can only emerge from an inclusive political process involving all legitimate stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of an inclusive approach to resolving the Myanmar crisis.
  • The stakeholders expressed deep appreciation to Malaysia for its leadership as ASEAN Chair and to the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, HE Tan Sri Othman Hashim, for advancing an inclusive and principled approach to resolving the Myanmar crisis.

Statistics:

  • Since the military coup of February 2021, the crisis in Myanmar has resulted in a deteriorating situation, with grave concern expressed over the junta's continued violence against civilians and blatant disregard for democratic norms.
  • The meeting was convened for Stakeholder Engagement on Myanmar (SEMs), focusing on the effective implementation of ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus, including cessation of violence, humanitarian assistance, and inclusive political dialogue.
  • The stakeholders emphasized that ASEAN's leadership and credibility depend on standing firmly with the people of Myanmar, rather than with those who have defied international norms, committed atrocities, and obstructed humanitarian aid.

Sources:

  • ASEAN Stakeholder Engagement on Myanmar: Addressing the Five-Point Consensus, Upholding Democracy and Rejecting the Military's Sham Elections press statement, 11 October.
  • Speech of HE Tan Sri Othman Hashim, Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar.
  • Various Stakeholder Engagement on Myanmar meetings convened by the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar.

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