"I welcome ASEAN’s principled approach through the Five-Point Consensus, and I urge all countries to continue to seek a unified strategy towards Myanmar," Secretary General Guterres stated at a press conference on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Thursday.
Guterres expressed concern over the deteriorating political and humanitarian situation in Myanmar.
"I remain deeply concerned about the worsening political, humanitarian, and human rights situation in Myanmar, including Rakhine State, and the plight of the massive number of refugees living in desperate conditions," he stated.
On the occasion, the UN Secretary General also lauded the determined efforts of Indonesia, as the Chair of ASEAN, to engage all sides of the conflict in political dialogue.
"And I reiterate my urgent call on the military authorities of Myanmar to listen to the aspirations of its people, release all political prisoners, and open the door to a return to democratic rule," he remarked.
Earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized that during Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN this year, it had worked hard to ensure that ASEAN was united to handle the Myanmar issue.
"ASEAN can only move forward with full strength if we can ensure a peaceful and lasting solution in Myanmar," Marsudi stated while opening the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) in Jakarta on Monday (September 4).
As mandated by ASEAN leaders, the ASEAN foreign ministers will comprehensively review the Five Point Consensus (5PC) and prepare recommendations for consideration by all ASEAN leaders.
The 5PC calls for putting an end to violence, holding dialogue with all stakeholders, appointing a special envoy to facilitate mediation and dialogue, allowing ASEAN to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar, and allowing the ASEAN special envoy to visit and meet with stakeholders in Myanmar.
Since it was agreed in April 2021 by ASEAN leaders and Myanmar military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, the implementation of this consensus, as a peace plan to overcome the Myanmar crisis, has still stalled.
ASEAN assesses that there is no will from the ruling junta in Myanmar to implement the consensus.
During its chairmanship, Indonesia made more than 110 approaches with various parties in Myanmar, including the National Unity Government (NUG), which was a shadow government formed by the opposition junta, the State Administrative Council (SAC) formed by the military, ethnic resistance organizations (EROs), and Myanmar civil society to pave the way for inclusive dialogue.
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Reporter: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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