By Thiha Wint Aung, Jaivet Ealom, and Mehek Berry
Full article published on The Diplomat July 25, 2024
ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus, agreed two months after the February 2021 coup and much criticized as “dead,” now requires a bold and creative reinterpretation in order to effectively respond to the dramatic shifts in Myanmar’s power dynamics. ASEAN’s current approach is akin to the Burmese saying, “trying to get the snake out without breaking the cane.” Which is to say, it is not working. As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, there is an urgent need to revisit and rejuvenate the Consensus. We outline three critical actions ASEAN must take to address the evolving crisis in Myanmar: expand engagement with the non-junta actors in an official capacity; broaden humanitarian assistance beyond the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance; and appoint a consistent ASEAN Special Envoy for Myanmar.
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The geopolitical risks are escalating, with major actors like China, India, and the U.S. potentially sidelining ASEAN. If this happened, it would be detrimental not only to Myanmar’s democratic movement but also to ASEAN’s relevance and effectiveness in a volatile international environment. A creative reinterpretation of the Five-Point Consensus is not only timely but essential if ASEAN is to remain a significant regional actor in these challenging times.
Read the full article on The Diplomat.
Thiha Wint Aung, Jaivet Ealom, and Mehek Berry are affiliated with the Myanmar Policy and Community Knowledge (MyPACK) Hub, at the University of Toronto’s Asian Institute.