ASEAN to Discuss Myanmar's Civil War and Engagement at Special Meeting

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are set to convene for a special meeting to address Myanmar's ongoing civil war and its relationship with the bloc. The Philippines, as the current chair of ASEAN, will lead the gathering in Bangkok on Sunday. This marks the first face-to-face engagement with Myanmar's top diplomat since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, an event that subsequently led to the ruling generals being excluded from ASEAN summits.

The 2021 coup plunged Myanmar into chaos, sparking a violent crackdown on protests and escalating into a civil war. An estimated 100,000 people have been killed, and millions have been displaced. The military, accused of widespread atrocities, denies these allegations. The country is now under a nominally civilian government led by former armed forces commander Min Aung Hlaing.

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They are expected to exchange views on ASEAN's engagement with Myanmar, as well as on possible concrete steps in which Myanmar may address concerns on the cessation of violence, constructive dialogue among concerned parties, and humanitarian assistance.

Despite the exclusion, the Philippines emphasized that Myanmar remains an integral part of ASEAN. The informal meeting aims to provide Myanmar's foreign minister an opportunity to brief his counterparts on the domestic situation. Discussions are expected to cover ASEAN's engagement with Myanmar and potential steps to address the cessation of violence, promote dialogue, and facilitate humanitarian assistance.

Meanwhile, Myanmar's military-aligned parliament is considering a motion to challenge ASEAN's five-point peace plan, which Min Aung Hlaing previously agreed to. Lawmakers argue that the plan constitutes interference in Myanmar's internal affairs and violates ASEAN's core principles. This move could complicate efforts to normalize ties and resolve the impasse between Myanmar and the regional bloc.

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During the discussions, lawmakers from both houses largely supported the motion, arguing that ASEAN should reassess its position on Myanmar following political developments and the formation of a new elected government.