Myanmar peace plan progress lacking, says Indonesia’s president
Despite having agreed to implement a peace plan with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) two years ago, Myanmar’s ruling military has made no significant progress, according to Indonesia’s president. Speaking on the second day of the ASEAN leaders’ meeting in Labuan Bajo, President Joko Widodo stressed the need for the bloc’s unity in deciding the next steps to address the escalating crisis in Myanmar.
The five-point consensus, as the Myanmar peace plan is called, has been a key issue discussed at the meeting. Widodo expressed concerns over the situation, stating candidly that there has not been significant progress in implementing the plan. The president urged the 10-member body to devise a strategy to de-escalate the spiralling violence that has taken hold since a coup in Myanmar two years ago. This event set off a wave of dissent and a brutal military crackdown.
Currently, the Myanmar army finds itself battling on multiple fronts against ethnic minority rebels and militias that form part of the growing pro-democracy resistance movement. Indonesia has been discreetly attempting to engage with all parties involved over the past several months. Activists have condemned the military’s use of air strikes and heavy weaponry in civilian areas, while the junta claims to be fighting against “terrorists”.
High-level ASEAN meetings have excluded Myanmar’s junta due to its failure to implement the peace plan, which its top general agreed to in Jakarta in April last year. The plan involves a cessation of violence, full humanitarian access, and dialogue with all parties. Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn informed Reuters that the plan would continue to serve as the foundation for engaging the junta. He expressed the desire to see a cessation of violence as soon as possible, reports Channel News Asia.
