Southeast Asian foreign ministers expressed growing frustration with the lack of progress in resolving the crisis in Myanmar, acknowledging the limitations of the existing framework and vowing to strengthen their approach, Bloomberg reports.
Meeting in Bangkok on Friday, diplomats from Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, and Singapore reaffirmed their commitment to the 2021 Five-Point Consensus, but conceded its inadequacy in stemming the ongoing violence.
The consensus, which calls for an immediate cessation of violence, dialogue between warring parties, and increased humanitarian aid, has been widely criticized as slow and ineffective. Bolbongse Vangphaen, director-general of Thailand’s Department of Asean affairs, said that while the Five-Point Consensus remains the benchmark, “All recognize that there’s the need to step up efforts to find approaches in line” with the agreement. However, no concrete steps forward were announced.
The meetings followed an unprecedented Thursday gathering where a Myanmar junta-appointed official directly engaged with representatives from neighboring countries for the first time since the 2021 coup. This meeting, which also included China and India, saw Myanmar’s foreign minister Than Swe reiterate the junta’s plan to hold general elections next year. This announcement, however, has been met with skepticism from rebel groups and the National League for Democracy (NLD), the party of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Asean is awaiting further details on the junta’s election plan.
The heightened concern reflects the deteriorating situation on the ground. Armed groups are making significant gains in northern and western Myanmar, increasing pressure on the junta and further destabilizing the country. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 6,000 civilians, with some 21,000 remaining in junta custody.
