Manila: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is not sending an observer to the Myanmar elections in December, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. confirmed Tuesday night. Speaking to the press after concluding his participation in the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, Marcos revealed that the issue of deploying a monitoring team had been thoroughly discussed during the high-level gathering.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos stated that ASEAN is allowing each member country to decide independently regarding the Myanmar elections. He noted that ASEAN will not adopt a common position, as discussions showed varying perspectives among member states. “We will have to decide for the Philippines what it is that we think we should do. We will watch other countries to see what they should do,” Marcos added.
Marcos expressed optimism that a consensus could still be reached among the countries by December 28, when the election is scheduled. However, he did not clarify whether the Philippines is contemplating sending its own observer or aligning with ASEAN’s stance. He emphasized the preference for ASEAN to act collectively, despite the differences in opinion among member states being relatively minor.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military coup in February 2021, which ousted the democratic government. During the 15th ASEAN-United Nations Summit on October 27, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concern over the situation in Myanmar. He condemned the military’s actions, highlighting the severe impact on regional stability and the humanitarian crisis in the country.
Guterres called for an end to the cycle of impunity and reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of violence. He advocated for a genuine commitment to inclusive dialogue and a credible path back to civilian rule, starting with the release of all those arbitrarily detained. He also supported the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, which emphasizes an immediate end to violence, dialogue among all parties, and humanitarian assistance by ASEAN.
