BANGKOK, Aug 7 — Three months after Asean agreed on the Five-Point Consensus, the block on Wednesday announced the appointment of a special envoy to facilitate the mediation of the dialogue process in Myanmar.
The long-awaited appointment marks a turning point in Asean’s efforts to help restore peace and democracy in Myanmar.
In a joint communique issued during the 54th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting early this week, the 10-member bloc named Brunei’s second Foreign Minister Erywan Mohd Yusof as the special envoy who will start his work in Myanmar.
Now all eyes are on Erywan, who has been tasked to build trust and confidence with full access to all parties concerned in Myanmar and providing a clear timeline on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus of the Asean Leaders’ Meeting on April 24.
The five point consensus are the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties to exercise utmost restraint; constructive dialogue among all parties concerned to commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people; a special envoy of the Asean Chair to facilitate mediation of the dialogue process with the assistance of the Secretary-General of Asean; Asean to provide humanitarian assistance through the AHA Centre; and the special envoy and delegation to visit Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned.
Since the February 1 military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, Asean’s role is seen as more crucial than ever as it will be a test for the regional bloc. The United Nations, United States and China have called on Asean to halt the violence in Myanmar where nearly 900 people were reported killed. The surging Covid-19 cases at present has added to the country’s woes.
Malaysia’s Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, in welcoming the appointment, said the newly appointed Asean Special Envoy to Myanmar should be given full access to all parties in the country in the effort to help address the current situation there.
However, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan warned against raising expectations too high while the Indonesian foreign ministry is hoping Erywan will give an update of his progress by September.
The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M) said the newly appointed Asean Special Envoy to Myanmar must secure an end to the Myanmar military junta’s violence and engage with true representatives of the people – starting with the National Unity Government (NUG), a shadow government in Myanmar.
In a statement, Chris Sidoti of SAC-M said there’s no time to be lost and it should start with the special envoy securing an immediate total nationwide ceasefire by the military and the withdrawal of the military to barracks.
“Implementation of the five-point consensus is now urgent,” he said.
Meanwhile, Yanghee Lee of SAC-M said Asean’s slow initial reaction has already emboldened the junta as it committed atrocities that amounted to crimes against humanity.
“If the Special Envoy continues to engage only with the junta, he will be taken for a ride while the people of Myanmar suffer the consequences,” she said.
However, the Tatmadaw (armed forces government) has dropped hints that it will not accept any engagement between Asean special envoy and NUG, its Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin said during Asean-EU Ministerial Meeting.
He said any support that EU or any countries would be providing has to compliment the five-point consensus and the five-point roadmap, and anything beyond would not help the special envoy nor Myanmar.
“Myanmar will not support the idea of engaging with CPRH and NUG since the Anti-Terrorism Central Committee in May this year had declared them and their subordinates as terrorist groups, including non-state actors as stated in the EU spokesperson’s statement on the appointment of the special envoy because it would be a breach of the five-point consensus of the Asean Leaders’ Meeting.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of Myanmar civil society groups on Friday rejected the appointment of the special envoy by Asean, saying the regional organisation should have consulted opponents of the ruling junta and other parties beforehand.
Reuters reported the groups expressed deep disappointment with Asean and their lack of inclusive decision-making process and inaction in the face of some of the most heinous crimes committed in the region.
Now, time is of the essence for Erywan to work in resolving the crisis by bringing all parties involved to the negotiation table and once again prove to the world that Asean is capable of addressing the crisis in Myanmar.
— Bernama
