It’s now or never for Asean to act on the crisis in Myanmar

Endless turmoil: Karen villagers hiding out in the jungle near the KNU Brigade 5 region in Myanmar’s Karen state, after they were forced to flee their homes following air strikes in the area after the coup. — Handout/KNU DOO PLA YA DISTRICT/AFP

ALMOST three months on since the coup d’état in Myanmar on Feb 1, the international community, including the UN Security Council (UNSC), have still not been able to influence the Myanmar military, known as the Tatmadaw, to change its course. Statements of condemnation and sanctions imposed by the West, without stronger UNSC measures, have not had the desired effect on the military.

In the November 2020 election, prior to the coup, the political party backed by the military lost by a landslide to the National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The Myanmar people voted decisively against military rule. Despite the violent crackdown against demonstrations and the civil disobedience movement, there are no signs that any sides are backing down.