KUALA LUMPUR: Asean leaders have renewed calls for Myanmar’s authorities to end violence, uphold an extended ceasefire, and make genuine progress on the bloc’s Five-Point Consensus (5PC) peace plan.
In a statement issued at the 47th Asean Summit here today, the regional bloc expressed “deep concern” over the lack of substantial progress in implementing the 5PC and urged all parties in Myanmar to de-escalate hostilities and protect civilians.
“We reaffirm the Five-Point Consensus as the main reference for addressing the political crisis in Myanmar.
“The full implementation of the 5PC is essential to achieving an inclusive and durable peaceful resolution that is Myanmar-owned and -led, for the betterment of its people and for regional stability,” the statement said.
Asean also called for an “expanded and extended ceasefire” throughout the country, in line with the Asean Leaders’ Statement on Myanmar issued in May this year.
The bloc urged the military and security forces to stop targeted attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure while stepping up trust-building efforts towards national dialogue.
To support humanitarian needs, Asean encouraged international partners to increase financial support for the AHA Centre — the bloc’s humanitarian arm — to ensure aid reaches people affected by the conflict without discrimination.
Humanitarian assistance, the statement said, should be delivered through the AHA Centre and other mechanisms “safely, effectively and transparently.”
The leaders also reaffirmed the mandate of the Asean Chair’s Special Envoy to continue engaging all stakeholders in Myanmar to help pave the way for an inclusive national dialogue.
“The envoy, with support from Asean member states and Myanmar’s neighbours, should continue to build trust towards a peaceful resolution,” the statement added.
At the same time, Asean foreign ministers have been tasked with exploring the proposal for a longer-term Special Envoy role to ensure continuity in the bloc’s engagement with Myanmar.
The summit also reaffirmed Asean’s decision to maintain Myanmar’s non-political representation at Asean Summits and Foreign Ministers’ Meetings until “meaningful progress” is made on the 5PC.
Leaders underscored that the crisis in Myanmar “should not affect the Asean community-building process or decision-making.”
The statement also noted Myanmar’s plan to hold general elections in December, stressing that the polls must be “free, fair, peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible.”
However, Asean said any election must be preceded by “a cessation of violence and an inclusive political dialogue.”
The bloc added that there is a need for stronger cooperation among member states and with external partners, including neighbouring countries and the United Nations, to tackle transnational crimes linked to the ongoing conflict — such as human trafficking, drug smuggling and online scams.
Asean foreign ministers were tasked with monitoring progress on the implementation of these decisions and reporting to the next summit.
The Five-Point Consensus, agreed upon in 2021, calls for an immediate end to violence, constructive dialogue among all parties, humanitarian assistance, and the appointment of a special envoy to facilitate mediation.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
