ASEAN snubs Myanmar's military leaders in surprise move
- Thailand will host two regional meetings on Myanmar on December 19 and 20, involving representatives from its junta.
- These discussions are part of efforts by ASEAN to encourage Myanmar's participation and address pressing issues connected to the ongoing crisis.
- The outcome of these meetings could significantly influence ASEAN's future interactions with Myanmar and its leaders.
Since the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, the political landscape in the country has been tumultuous, resulting in widespread chaos and a national civil war. As a response to this crisis, Thailand announced it would host two separate regional meetings focusing on Myanmar this week. The meetings, scheduled for December 19 and 20, will involve various representatives, including those from the Myanmar junta. The Thai foreign minister Maris Sangiampongsa will lead these consultations aimed at discussing crucial topics such as border security and transnational crime, alongside representatives from Myanmar and neighboring countries like China, India, Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand. On December 20, a higher-level foreign minister meeting will occur focusing on Myanmar’s situation. The Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated his commitment to implementing ASEAN's peace plan, which has seen little success since its proposal shortly after the coup in April 2021. This meeting will consider ASEAN's 'Five Point Consensus' plan designed to facilitate peace, although it remains undetermined if Myanmar's representatives will appear or at what level, amplifying ASEAN's exclusion of the country's military leaders since the coup. The instability in Myanmar has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, affecting its population of approximately 55 million. With the constant internal conflict, international bodies such as ASEAN are seeking to involve Myanmar politically and return it to active participation within the organization. The challenges of dialogue and cooperation have resulted in significant skepticism about the effectiveness of these regional meetings, highlighting the need for an effective strategy. While the meetings may provide a platform for discussion, they reflect the ongoing challenges that ASEAN faces in dealing with Myanmar’s military leadership. The informal nature of the first meeting, specifically targeting border security and transnational crime, indicates a cautious approach aimed at addressing pressing regional issues while simultaneously attempting to engage Myanmar in negotiations to restore peace and order.