KUALA LUMPUR: Southeast Asian Foreign Minister on Wednesday chose Second Foreign Minister’s Brunei, Erywan Yusof, as their special envoy to Myanmar, in a breakthrough after months of delay for regional mediation to end the crisis of the country’s deepening.
In a joint statement after their annual meeting, the Southeast Asian Association Minister said Erywan would start his work in Myanmar to “build trust and confidence with full access to all parties concerned.” The 10-nation block has increased from international pressure to act on violence and instability in Myanmar, an ASEAN member where the military in February overthrew the elected government Aung San Suu Kyi and took action against opponents.
Ministers reiterated their concerns, including reports of death and violence.
But they stopped calling to let go of political prisoners, say only those who “heard a call” for their freedom, in reflection of sensitivity to this problem.
Regional groups are Hamstrung by basic policies from non-disorders in domestic affairs of member countries and in decision making with consensus, which means only one member country can shoot any proposal.
Erywan is among the at least four candidates proposed by groupings, and Myanmar is believed to prefer the former Thai diplomat.
His decision to cave in the demands of grouping indicates military authorities still hopes to rely on ASEAN’s support when they face international criticism.
A Southeast Asian diplomat said the foreign ministers had chosen Erywan at their meeting Monday but could not announce it when Myanmar had not given a nod.
The ministers held another previous session on Wednesday and finally managed to persuade the military government, diplomats said that talked to the Associated Press with anonymous requirements due to lack of authority to speak publicly.
Even with the promise of the envoy, it remains uncertain if and when Myanmar’s military leaders will allow access to Suu Kyi, which has been detained with other political leaders and tried on many costs, diplomats have said.
More than 900 people have been killed by Myanmar authorities since the takeover of February, many anti-government protests, according to a calculation stored by an independent assistance association for political prisoners.
The victim also increased among the military and the police when armed resistance grew in urban and rural areas.
Myanmar’s problem has deepened with the worst coronavirus surge, which has flooded a paralyzed health care system.
The ASEAN leaders call for ending the violence and the commencement of dialogue between the parties mediated by the ASEAN envoy.
Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has repeated his promise to hold new elections in two years and work with ASEAN to find a political solution.