Top diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are convening in Jakarta this week to revisit the regional bloc's stalled peace plan for Myanmar, amid increasing frustration over the ruling military's inability to quell violence more than two years after seizing power in a coup.
Myanmar, despite its turbulent political climate, remains a member of ASEAN. Still, its military leaders have been excluded from key bloc meetings since their ousting of the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, an action that ignited violent opposition to their rule.
The cornerstone of ASEAN's approach to Myanmar is the "five-point consensus," a peace plan that urges an immediate end to violence and the initiation of dialogue among all parties involved. Regrettably, Myanmar's military junta has largely disregarded these commitments.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, in her opening remarks at the meeting, emphasized the importance of reviewing the five-point consensus's implementation.
"As mandated by the leaders, we would conduct a comprehensive review on the 'five PC' implementation and prepare a recommendation for our leaders' deliberation," she stated.
Minister Marsudi emphasized that ASEAN's strength hinges on finding a peaceful and enduring solution to the Myanmar crisis.
The prolonged crisis in Myanmar has called into question the effectiveness and unity of ASEAN, which was founded during the height of the Cold War in the 1960s. The bloc operates on a principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs and seeks consensus-based solutions. However, this approach has left ASEAN struggling to address complex issues like Myanmar, where it has been unable to exert significant pressure on the military junta beyond excluding them from high-level meetings.
Indonesia, the chair of ASEAN and a nation deeply committed to preserving the bloc's credibility, has been conducting discreet efforts to seek a resolution to Myanmar's turmoil. However, these efforts have yielded limited results so far.
Later this week, ASEAN leaders will gather in Jakarta for a summit, which will also include leaders and representatives from partner countries such as the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and others. Notably, U.S. President Joe Biden will not be in attendance, with Vice President Kamala Harris representing the United States. Chinese Premier Li Qiang is scheduled to attend the summit, marking China's ongoing interest in Southeast Asia.
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