Myanmar junta chief excluded from ASEAN summit

Naypyitaw, Oct 16: Brunei said on Saturday that a non-political representative from Myanmar will be invited to an upcoming summit of leaders from Southeast Asian nations this month, effectively sidelining the leader of a military junta that seized power earlier this year.

The decision follows the failure of the country's ruling military to adhere to a peace roadmap it had agreed to with ASEAN.

What have ASEAN ministers agreed?

At an emergency meeting late Friday, foreign ministers of the regional bloc agreed that Min Aung Hlaing will not be invited to the October 26-28 summit.

It said some member states recommended giving "space to Myanmar to restore its internal affairs and return to normalcy."

Instead, it was decided "to invite a non-political representative from Myanmar" to the summit, "while noting the reservations from the Myanmar representative", the statement added.

Brunei said some member states had received requests from Myanmar's National Unity Government, formed by opponents of the junta, to attend the summit.

Why has ASEAN acted now?

Myanmar, which is a member of the regional group, agreed during emergency ASEAN talks in April that would adhere to a peace roadmap aimed at tackling the fallout from the coup and ending the bloody violence.

ASEANS's statement cited "insufficient progress" in the implementation of the five-point plan.

A long-planned visit by ASEAN's envoy to Myanmar Erywan Yusof has been delayed in recent weeks, with Erywan insisting on meeting all parties, including deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained on various charges since the coup.

Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said this week Erywan would be welcome in the country but would not be allowed to meet Suu Kyi because she is charged with crimes.

International pressure has been building on ASEAN to take a tougher position on Myanmar's failure to take the agreed steps to end the violence, allow humanitarian access and start dialogue with its opponents.

The decision marks a shift for ASEAN, which has traditionally favoured a policy of engagement and non-interference.

Source: DW