ASEAN leaders have reaffirmed their 5-point consensus (5PC) and urged Myanmar to comply with the promises it made last April.
In a joint statement, issued today (Friday), the leaders said that “little progress (has been) achieved in the implementation of the 5PC, therefore it is incumbent on the Myanmar Armed Forces to comply with its commitments to the ASEAN leaders.”
In the leaders’ assessment, the situation in Myanmar remains “critical and fragile,” with increasing violence being of major concern, which affects not only Myanmar but also ASEAN’s community-building efforts. “ASEAN is committed to assisting Myanmar in finding a peaceful and durable solution to the current situation,” read the statement.
Additionally, the leaders have tasked their foreign ministers with developing the implementation plan with firm, practical and measurable indicators, as well as a specific timeline for the implementation of the 5PC.
In the statement, they also gave a mandate to the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar to “engage all stakeholders soon,” which could be done in a flexible and informal manner.
The 15-paragraph statement urged all parties concerned to de-escalate tension and exercise utmost restraint, adding that all parties bearing arms should be fairly held accountable and condemned for violence. Regarding the fighting forces inside Myanmar, the statement singles out the Tatmadaw as the country’s largest armed force in the country.
Finally, ASEAN also called on the UN and external partners to support the 5PC.
