ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said that the conflict in Myanmar had become a difficult problem for ASEAN to overcome, and little progress had been achieved.
Marcos said that ASEAN was committed, but the problem was very complicated, including the humanitarian impact. He conveyed this at a forum in Hawaii which was broadcast live in the Philippines on Monday, November 20 2023.
The United Nations says more than 1 million people have been displaced since Myanmar’s military staged a coup in 2021, plunging the country into conflict and economic ruin.
“There is a lot of encouragement for ASEAN to resolve this issue. “But this is a very, very difficult problem,” said Marcos, reported by CNA.
The Myanmar junta’s harsh actions against its opponents after the coup gave rise to an increasingly strong resistance movement.
ASEAN has banned its senior generals from attending meetings until the Myanmar junta commits to the peace roadmap that has been in place for 2 years.
Under the agreement, the Philippines will chair ASEAN in 2026 after replacing Myanmar as host that year.
Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee as Myanmar’s junta battles attacks carried out by an alliance of three ethnic minority groups and pro-democracy fighters, since last month. Later, Marcos cited an analysis of recent escalations, saying the junta had lost support from its own military.
The humanitarian costs of conflict in Myanmar have increased exponentially in recent years. Meanwhile, according to him, the Philippines was also affected, with its citizens becoming victims of human trafficking there. (ATN)
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