ASEAN ties Myanmar’s political return to 5PC compliance

ASEAN leaders have agreed to restore Myanmar’s political representation at their high-level meetings on a gradual basis, making compliance with the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) a mandatory condition.

The decision follows a closed-door retreat on Sunday, where Southeast Asian leaders maintained their stance of restricting Myanmar’s military-backed leaders’ participation in ASEAN Summits following reports of continued targeted attacks against civilians amid ongoing political crisis there.

They denounced the ongoing conflicts and humanitarian situation in Myanmar, which they argued are direct violations of the 5PC or the so-called peace plan.

“We reiterate our call for the cessation of violence and underscore the importance of a sustained nationwide ceasefire in Myanmar, towards creating a safe and conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance to all those in need and for an inclusive national dialogue, consistent with the 5PC,” the statement reads.

ASEAN leaders adopted the 5PC during a special emergency meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, with Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, in April 2021.

Myanmar’s military, led by Min Aung Hlaing, seized power from the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, accusing her of widespread election fraud.

The retired military officer took over the presidency one month later.

Since the military coup, ASEAN has barred Myanmar’s political participation in its high-level meetings, such as summits.

Myanmar is represented by its Foreign Ministry director-general for ASEAN affairs, while the rest of the delegates from the 11-member bloc are ASEAN leaders.

The 5PC mandates the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar, engages all parties in a constructive dialogue for a peaceful solution, mediation through a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair, accepts humanitarian assistance through ASEAN, and a visit by the special envoy to meet relevant stakeholders.

Before the retreat went to an executive session, President Marcos Jr.—who chairs the 49th regional summit—acknowledged that the peace plan did little to help military-run Myanmar as efforts to halt indiscriminate violence and restrictions on humanitarian aid continue unabated.

ASEAN leaders said Myanmar’s full political representation may be gradually restored if it shows sustained, concrete progress in implementing the peace plan.

“[ASEAN will] pursue a calibrated engagement with Myanmar through a phased and progress-based approach, taking into account developments on the ground,” the statement reads.

“Subject to sustained and concrete progress in the implementation of the 5PC by Myanmar, ASEAN may consider the gradual restoration of Myanmar’s full political representation,” it added.

Reports suggest that ASEAN is under intense pressure to reconsider the ban on Myanmar following Naypyidaw’s alleged increase in engagement with Thailand and other member states despite the ongoing civil war.

Citing DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, a Kyodo News report states that Myanmar’s possible return to key regional meetings will be off the table at the ongoing summit.

Instead, the discussion is reportedly to be entrusted to Singapore next year, which will take over the ASEAN chairmanship from the Philippines.