Myanmar has been in turmoil since early 2021 when its military overthrew the elected civilian government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. In response to the ongoing civil conflict, ASEAN has called on Myanmar’s military leaders to prioritise peace, rather than moving ahead with planned elections.
At a recent meeting, ASEAN foreign ministers urged the military government to engage in dialogue and immediately halt hostilities. Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Mohamad Hasan, voiced the region’s concerns, emphasising the need to end violence before any elections take place. He further explained that the election must involve all parties and not be limited to a selected few.
In addition to the escalating violence, Myanmar faces a humanitarian crisis, with millions in need of assistance. ASEAN is pushing Myanmar’s leaders to allow unhindered access to aid to support the civilian population.
Peace Must Come First for Inclusive Elections
ASEAN foreign ministers made it clear that an inclusive process is critical for Myanmar’s future. While the military government has stated plans to hold an election later this year, ASEAN insists that peace must first be achieved to ensure a legitimate and effective election process.
The ministers stressed that any elections should be open to all stakeholders in Myanmar’s political sphere, and not conducted in isolation. ASEAN’s primary concern, as highlighted by Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, remains the cessation of violence throughout the country. With Myanmar’s internal conflict showing no signs of resolution, the region is focused on pushing for meaningful dialogue among all parties.
Regional security and South China Sea concerns
In addition to the Myanmar issue, ASEAN ministers addressed wider regional concerns, including the rivalry between the US and China. There are fears that increasing tensions between the two global superpowers could destabilise Southeast Asia. The ministers reiterated the importance of regional unity and economic integration in the face of these challenges.
Another significant issue discussed was the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea. ASEAN members, particularly Vietnam and Malaysia, have raised concerns over China’s actions in the contested waters. Despite efforts to draft a code of conduct for the South China Sea, the process has been slow, with ASEAN calling for renewed efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.
