An image of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi is projected on a screen during a demonstration by protesters against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. Last Sunday marked six months since the coup. (Photo: AFP)
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THITINAN PONGSUDHIRAK
A PROFESSOR AT CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY
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An image of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi is projected on a screen during a demonstration by protesters against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. Last Sunday marked six months since the coup. (Photo: AFP)
The more it tries to catch up on Myanmar’s post-coup crisis, the more Asean falls behind. Since Myanmar’s military takeover on Feb 1, Asean has spent nearly the first three months getting its act together for a “special summit” and a “five-point consensus” on April 24 and then more than another three months to meekly implement the agreement. In the event, the appointment of Brunei’s Second Foreign Minister Erywan bin Mohd Yusof as the Asean envoy to promote dialogue and humanitarian assistance in Myanmar is likely to prove too little, too late for what has been desperately needed on the ground.
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Delicate task for Asean special envoy to Myanmar, but the clock is ticking
Brunei’s second foreign minister Erywan Yusof has been declared Asean’s special envoy to Myanmar.PHOTO: REUTERS
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Yet Asean, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, will keep on holding meetings to harp and guard its rhetoric of being the centre of regional action for peace and stability. While the international community has broadly condemned Myanmar’s coup and the ensuing violence perpetrated by its military — known as the “Tatmadaw”, led by Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing, the structure of the United Nations Security Council is divided. China and Russia have provided Security Council protection for Myanmar’s coup regime, the self-styled State Administration Council (SAC), vetoing critical resolutions by the United States, United Kingdom, and France.
