Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa says Myanmar’s neighbours would advise, but not interfere, in elections. - Photo: Reuters
BANGKOK: Thailand has told Myanmar’s junta that Asean would want all stakeholders included in an election the military government plans to hold in 2025, even as the regional bloc seeks a common position on the polls, Thai officials said on Friday (Dec 20).
“If there is an election, Asean would want an inclusive process that included all stakeholders,” Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa told reporters after meetings with his counterparts and senior diplomats of Asean.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since early 2021, when its military ousted an elected civilian government, triggering pro-democracy protests that morphed into a widening armed rebellion that has taken over swathes of the country.
The military is fighting rebels on multiple fronts, struggling to govern and manage a crumbling economy that was seen as a promising frontier market before the generals ended a decade of tentative democracy.
Thailand this week hosted two separate regional meetings on the crisis in Myanmar, the first involving the junta and its neighbours, including China, Bangladesh and India, followed by one with members of Asean.
Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Than Swe on Dec 19 briefed attendees on the outline of the junta’s political road map and progress towards holding an election, which critics have dismissed as a sham, largely due to the absence and sidelining of opposition groups.
“The neighbouring countries said we support Myanmar in finding solutions, but the election must be inclusive for various stakeholders in the country,” Maris said, stressing that Myanmar’s neighbours would advise, but not interfere.
Their effort, he said, would also support Asean’s Myanmar peace plan – the Five-Point Consensus, its strategy to diffuse the conflict that has made scant progress.
The proposed Myanmar elections were also part of discussions among Asean members at the Dec 20 meeting, which the junta was not part of, said Thai Foreign Ministry official Bolbongse Vangphaen.
Lukewarm response
The bloc is still awaiting details of the polls from the Myanmar side, he said, adding that Asean would also need to find a common position on the proposed ballot, which has the backing of regional heavyweights such as China.
Myanmar’s military regime has been unable to stabilise the country and stem a widespread rebellion since General Min Aung Hlaing seized power in a 2021 coup and toppled a civilian government led by democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
With the economy in a tailspin, questions have been raised over how long the generals can retain power, especially as ethnic armed groups make gains in the north and the west of the country.
The junta’s efforts to hold elections – already delayed by more than two years – have been met with lukewarm response from rebel groups and Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party.
China’s Vice-Foreign Minister Sun Weidong said during the Dec 19 meeting in Bangkok that all parties should support Myanmar in advancing its peace and reconciliation process, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Dec 20.
Sun said all parties in Myanmar should resolve differences through dialogue and consultation. - Reuters, Bloomberg
