ASEAN Urges Myanmar Junta to Prioritize Ceasefire

Southeast Asian foreign ministers, during a recent meeting in Langkawi, Malaysia, emphasized that Myanmar's military junta should prioritize achieving a ceasefire and peace over its planned elections amid ongoing civil unrest. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan stated that an inclusive election is not the current priority, as violence and humanitarian access issues remain pressing. The junta's plans for a 2025 election are widely regarded by critics as illegitimate, with concerns that they serve primarily to maintain military power. In response, ASEAN appointed former diplomat Othman Hashim as its special envoy to engage various stakeholders in Myanmar and promote compliance with ASEAN's five-point peace plan. The bloc has barred the junta from its summits due to its failure to adhere to this plan. Humanitarian needs in Myanmar are at alarming levels, with nearly 20 million people requiring assistance as the conflict exacerbates.