Myanmar pushes back on ASEAN envoy and call to free Suu Kyi

Myanmar’s military-backed government has responded negatively to the ASEAN special envoy’s call for the release of leader Aung San Suu Kyi, just days after the country’s leader toured Thailand in a bid to push for full re-engagement with the regional grouping. The animosity between Myanmar and ASEAN has been tense since early 2021, when the military leader ousted an elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, igniting a civil war that has reportedly claimed 100,000 lives and displaced millions.

Since then, Myanmar’s leaders have been barred from top-level ASEAN meetings for their refusal to follow a “five-point consensus” peace blueprint agreed upon with the bloc. Myanmar’s foreign ministry recently announced that an ASEAN envoy for Myanmar is no longer necessary, citing the December and January elections won by a military-backed party, which saw Min Aung Hlaing transition to president.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who met with Min Aung Hlaing last week, emphasized that Thailand seeks peace and stability in Myanmar and isn’t abandoning regional concerns. However, Myanmar’s pro-military parliament recently vetoed ASEAN’s plan, labeling it interference and stating that ASEAN should reconsider its stance on the country.

The foreign ministry’s announcement came in response to the ASEAN’s desire for an ongoing meeting between Suu Kyi and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) representative, as well as the release of other political prisoners. Suu Kyi, who is serving an 18-year sentence for offenses she denies, remains the only high-profile political figure not to have had a public meeting with a foreign leader or envoy.