Burmese junta leader excluded from next ASEAN summit

The leader of the Burmese junta, Min Aung Hlaing, will be excluded from the next summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to be held from October 26 to 28, the organization announced on Saturday (October 16). The decision is a retaliatory measure against the Burmese military power, which seems reluctant to defuse the political and diplomatic crisis.

ASEAN, which brings together ten Southeast Asian countries, took this exceptional measure after the junta rejected requests for a special representative to be sent to dialogue with all parties, including the former leader. Aung San Suu Kyi, overthrown by the army in February. The organization’s press release reports “Insufficient progress” in the implementation of a five-point plan, adopted in April, which was to help restore dialogue in Burma and facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid.

The junta has put the brakes on its implementation, delaying the visit of Erywan Yusof, deputy foreign minister of Brunei (who currently holds the rotating presidency of ASEAN), appointed the organization’s envoy to Burma after months negotiations.

However, some member states recommend leaving “A leeway for Burma to restore its internal situation”. It has been decided “To invite a non-political Burmese representative” at the top, “While taking note of the reservations made by the representative of Burma”, the statement continued.

Bloody military repression

Burma, mainly ruled by the military since a coup in 1962, has been a thorn in the side of Asean since it joined the organization in 1997. Coup d’état ended ten-year democratic hiatus in February. Military repression is bloody against opponents, with more than 1,100 civilians killed and 8,400 imprisoned, according to a local NGO, the Association for Assistance to Political Prisoners.

ASEAN, often considered ineffective, has since been the object of pressure in the face of the worsening crisis. She expressed her disappointment at the lack of cooperation from the junta, which continues to brutally suppress dissent. The junta opposed Mr. Yusof meeting with people facing legal proceedings, foremost among them Mr.^me Suu Kyi, 76, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991.

She is being prosecuted for violating restrictions related to Covid-19 in last year’s election, which her party won overwhelmingly, and for illegally importing walkie-talkies. She faces decades in prison if convicted.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Twitter on Friday that her country had proposed that Burma “Not be represented at political level” at the top until she reestablishes “Its democracy through an inclusive process”. In a joint statement, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway and East Timor expressed their “Deep concern at the critical situation in Burma”, calling on the junta to “Participate constructively” dialogue with the special envoy of ASEAN.

The junta has promised to hold elections and lift the state of emergency in 2023.