As the world continues to keep a close eye on the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, Indonesia has emerged as a key player in efforts to address the situation. As the largest Muslim-majority nation in the world and a regional power in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has been vocal in calling for an end to the violence and instability in Myanmar. In recent months, the Indonesian government has been engaging with a range of stakeholders to try and find a peaceful solution to the crisis. In this article, we explore the latest developments and efforts by Indonesia to address the Myanmar crisis.
Indonesia, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has been engaging with stakeholders in Myanmar to resolve the crisis in the country, according to Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. She stressed that Indonesia has endorsed the five-point consensus adopted by ASEAN, which calls for a constructive dialogue among all parties and an immediate end to violence in Myanmar. Despite concerns of a growing number of civilian casualties, Retno did not specify which stakeholders Indonesia was engaging with.
However, she did state that Indonesia had made progress in relation to the aid provision by the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Center). The center’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people in need, regardless of their ethnic background, religion, and political orientation, has been facilitated by Indonesia, which has successfully consulted with several stakeholders in the country.
Last month, Indonesia updated the UN Security Council on Myanmar matters in a closed-door meeting. For the first time, the ASEAN Chair also met with a number of special envoys, including those of the UN Secretary-General, neighboring countries of Myanmar, and other nations, to encourage coordination and synergy while strengthening ASEAN centrality. Retno said that the meetings with the UN Security Council and special envoys showed strong support for Indonesia’s chairmanship, ASEAN centrality, and the five-point consensus.
However, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reported that 3,212 people had been killed in the military crackdown against the pro-democracy movement since the coup in February 2021. The situation in Myanmar remains unstable, and Indonesia’s efforts to engage with stakeholders are ongoing.
ASEAN’s five-point consensus has been viewed as a step towards resolving the crisis in Myanmar, but critics have questioned its effectiveness. One key criticism is that it does not explicitly condemn the coup, which has been widely condemned by the international community. Additionally, the military junta has shown little willingness to engage in dialogue with the pro-democracy movement, leading to doubts about the effectiveness of calls for constructive dialogue.
The situation in Myanmar has drawn international attention, with many countries and organizations condemning the coup and calling for a return to democracy. While ASEAN has emphasized the importance of non-interference in the affairs of member states, the crisis in Myanmar has highlighted the need for the organization to address issues related to democracy and governance in the region.
Indonesia’s efforts to engage with stakeholders in Myanmar reflect the organization’s commitment to resolving the crisis and promoting stability in the region. However, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be successful, and whether the five-point consensus will be effective in bringing about necessary changes in Myanmar. As the situation continues to evolve, it is likely that ASEAN will play a critical role in determining the future of the country and the region as a whole.
