The current special envoy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, his first official mission to Myanmar on a three-day visit to meet Myanmar State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, for reinstating peacemaking process as the extended violent political crisis after the army seized power last year, continues.
On Friday in a released statement, Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry stated, “Prak Sokhonn will lead a delegation including Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Lee Yam Ming, executive director of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (the AHA Center), and Cambodian Ministry of Industry Cham Prasidh.”
About ASEAN
ASEAN is an Association of South-Eastern Nation with a motto of One Vision, One Identity, One Community.
Established in 1967 – now with 10 Member Nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.
In 2015, ASEAN Community was launched comprising three pillars: ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.
The objective of this association is to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development clubbed with the promotion of regional peace and stability through abiding by justice and the rule of law. Also, promoting active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields.
It’s the 3rd largest market in the world – larger than EU and North American markets and the 6th largest economy in the world, 3rd in Asia.
The chairmanship of ASEAN is rotated every year following the alphabetical sequence of the English names of the member states. Currently, Cambodia has assumed the Chairmanship of the ASEAN.
ASEAN Summit is the supreme policy-making body of ASEAN. The highest level of authority sets the direction for ASEAN policies and objectives. Under the Charter, the Summit meets twice a year.
ASEAN Ministerial Councils, as established under the Charter comprises four important new Ministerial bodies to support the Summit: ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC), ASEAN Political-Security Community Council, ASEAN Economic Community Council and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council .Decision Making depends on consultation and consensus in primary mode.
About the Myanmar Issue
In November 2020, Myanmar held a democratic election. Aung San Suu Kyi led Party National League for Democracy won the election by securing 396 seats out of 476 seats (combined lower and upper houses of Parliament).
The main opposition party Union Solidarity and Development Party (backed by the Military which has 25% of seats reserved as per their 2008 Constitution).
On the 1st of February 2021, while the Burmese parliament was in session Aung San Suu Kyi De facto leader of NLD, President Win Myint, among other senior NLD leaders were detained with a proclamation of a one-year state emergency.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has been commander-in-chief of the Burmese armed forces led the coup. To ensure complete capture of the powers.
Recent Developments
In April 2021, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations reached a five-point consensus on Myanmar, which called for an immediate cessation of violence, the establishment of dialogue among all parties involved, mediation was to be done by an ASEAN special envoy.
While humanitarian aid was to be brought in through ASEAN channels. Also, agreeing upon a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy to meet with all parties involved.
However, the ruling military council of Myanmar delayed the implementation of the planned agreements. Even in a civil-war a scenario neither the military nor its opponents ever suggested mutually acceptable compromises, that could stem the violence, and resolve the political turmoil.
Myanmar’s reluctance to implement the actions caused a split among the members of ASEAN. Leaving Myanmar ostracised by blocking its leaders from attending major meetings of the regional grouping. Min Aung Hlaing was not invited to last October’s virtual meeting of ASEAN leaders because of the disagreement.
Park Sokhonn said, “If Myanmar’s military government is unwilling to talk directly with the National Unity Government (a shadow government), he could serve as a bridge between the contending parties. But he cautioned that this would have to be done in a way that did not create friction between the ASEAN envoy and Myanmar’s military government.”
However, it’s pointed out that his visit did not include any contact with the National Unity Government, which had been among the suggestions ASEAN offered last year. His failure in arranging a meeting with the shadow government was accounted as ignorance of the voices of the people of Myanmar and democratic forces.
Myanmar’s military has provided permission for ASEAN’s envoy to meet with other members of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, according to Cambodian officials.
However, almost all of its major leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, are either imprisoned or hiding to avoid arrest.
As this entire arrangement of establishing a dialogue is aimed at, “Creating a favourable condition leading to the end of violence as well as the utmost restraint by all parties.”
While also aiming for distributing humanitarian assistance and encouraging political consultation or dialogue among all concerned parties.
Published By : Revathy G Sanal
Edited By : Subbuthai Padma
