ASEAN Mediation: Glimmer Of Hope For Myanmar

At a special summit convened in Jakarta over the weekend, ASEAN leaders issued an urgent call for an end to violence in Myanmar and for steps to be taken to restore democracy following a military coup last February 1.

Their five-point statement of consensus also called for a visit to Myanmar by a special envoy of the ASEAN chair to initiate constructive dialogue among the contending parties. The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance shall also be allowed to facilitate the provision of aid. The United Nations World Food program has expressed concern that up to 3.4 million people, mostly in urban centers, could go hungry within the next six months.

Since the coup, 745 people have been killed and more than 3,300 imprisoned. Even before the coup, Myanmar had been struggling to cope with widespread poverty amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervention by its ASEAN neighbors would hopefully inject a measure of stability and prevent a further escalation of violence.