Retno Marsudi Enganges Myanmar NUG and Junta Ahead ASEAN Meeting

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi declared that she met with National Unity Government Zin Mar Aung and Myanmar junta representative Than Shwe. As ASEAN's chairman, Indonesia is determined to continue attempts to involve all parties in the Myanmar crisis resolution.

In a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Jakarta on Friday, July 7, 2023, Retno said that Indonesia has communicated 110 times with all Myanmar crisis resolution's key parties. Aside from NUG and Tatmadaw, Indonesia's special envoy has also engaged Ethnic Resistance Organizations (EROs), political party representatives, CSO, and other Myanmar parties.

Currently, Myanmar has succumbed to instability and violence as a result of the military coup in 2021 and the deadly repression of pro-democracy protesters. Hundreds of people killed and thousands arrested, arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, and tortures are happening in Myanmar. The resistance movement formed a coalition with the NUG, and several ethnic minority militias intensified their guerilla attacks on the military, which countered with airstrikes. United Nations declared Myanmar junta engaged in violence toward civilians.

Last month, Thailand shook ASEAN with its meeting with Myanmar junta to urge Southeast Asia to recognize the military regime. When asked about the meeting, Minister Retno stated that "5-point consensus is our main focus to resolve the crisis in Myanmar. As the chairman of ASEAN, Indonesia has and will be communicating intensively with all stakeholders to continue to implement the consensus."

Retno also said that a positive development occurred on the humanitarian assistance front to Myanmar. Through AHA Centre, ASEAN prepared distribution to 400 households or 1,400 internally displaced persons in Myanmar. AHA Centre also has swiftly assisted the victims of Mokha Cyclon with USD 1.6 million.

ASEAN has agreed on a peace treaty with Myanmar junta 2 years prior. The five-point consensus consisted of an immediate end to violence, dialogue among all parties, and full access to humanitarian assistance by ASEAN. The consensus is said to give no significant breakthrough by several parties. ASEAN foreign ministers will conduct a series of meetings on July 11 until July 14, 2023 in Jakarta.

Southeast Asian bloc has forbidden Myanmar military generals to attend ASEAN meetings if no commitment to implement the agreement is declared.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo in Google News