Myanmar Rejects ASEAN Special Envoy and Calls for Aung San Suu Kyi's Release
Geopolitics
The military-backed government of Myanmar has issued a statement saying there is no longer any need for an ASEAN special envoy, following the holding of elections and the formation of a new government. It also rejected calls for the unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi, insisting that any release must be in accordance with Myanmar law. This stance comes just days after President Min Aung Hlaing visited Thailand, as Thailand seeks to push Myanmar to re-engage with ASEAN. Relations have been strained since the military overthrew the civilian government in 2021, leading to a civil war that has left around 100,000 people dead and millions displaced. Myanmar also rejected ASEAN's five-point consensus, calling it interference in internal affairs.
