Asean can do very little about the civil war in Myanmar

ASEAN is getting criticised for its inability to influence events in strife-torn Myanmar. The declaration at the end of its recent summit has triggered a wave of anguish over the bloc’s, admittedly ineffective, attempt to hose down the civil war in Myanmar.

Its longstanding Five-Point Consensus calls for, inter alia, an immediate cessation of violence, an inclusive dialogue and humanitarian aid access to those in need. Not good enough: it’s “a fig leaf for paralysis”, as one critic put it.

To begin with, Asean works by consensus. The bloc has managed to isolate General Min Aung Hlaing’s junta that ousted an elected government in 2021 even as Myanmar remains a member. The junta remains unrecognised as the country’s legitimate rulers. Nor has Asean fallen for the regime’s attempt to legitimise its hold on power with a sham election, to be conducted in several phases, beginning next month.