Not even Superman can fix Myanmar crisis, ASEAN envoy says

By AFP 7 August 2022

PHNOM PENH—A regional envoy tasked with brokering peace in Myanmar admitted Saturday that “even Superman can not clear up” the disaster, capping per week of international ministerial conferences that in the end yielded little progress.

Myanmar has spiralled into civil conflict since a putsch in February final yr, with the loss of life toll from the navy’s brutal crackdown on dissent passing 2,100, in accordance with an area monitoring group.

The ten-country Affiliation of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has spearheaded up to now fruitless efforts to resolve the turmoil, and acknowledged in a joint assertion on Friday the shortage of progress round a five-point disaster decision plan.

ASEAN particular envoy Prak Sokhonn, who has made two journeys to Myanmar for the reason that coup, dampened expectations for main progress within the quick time period.

“I’m only a particular envoy, I’m not a superman,” he instructed reporters in Phnom Penh Saturday.

“I believe that even Superman can not clear up the Myanmar drawback.”

Anger is rising inside ASEAN over Myanmar generals’ stonewalling of the peace plan, notably after the execution final month of 4 political prisoners — together with two distinguished pro-democracy figures.

The plan, agreed in April final yr, requires a right away finish to violence and dialogue between the navy and the anti-coup motion.

“Points can’t be solved by one assembly, by two conferences, by a few years of assembly,” mentioned Prak Sokhonn, who can also be Cambodia’s international minister.

“Negotiation takes years, like the difficulty in Myanmar. After two visits of the particular envoy, two visits solely, some folks begin to lose endurance and ask for outcomes,” he added.

The minister flagged a attainable third journey to Myanmar in early September — contingent upon progress on the five-point plan.

“Particularly if — and I say it clearly, publicly — if extra executions are carried out, then issues must be reconsidered,” he mentioned.

His remarks constructed on Friday’s joint assertion, which emphasised the necessity for some concrete motion from the junta forward of the ASEAN leaders’ summit in November.

Prak Sokhonn have to be allowed to satisfy with “all related stakeholders”, the assertion added, alluding to the junta’s determination to dam entry to deposed chief Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Earlier within the week, Malaysia — which has led requires harder motion — indicated that Myanmar might face suspension from the bloc ought to members not see progress forward of the leaders’ summit.