Myanmar crisis a wake-up call for Asean to stop abdicating its role in region

No end in sight: Anti-coup protesters gathering outside the Hledan Centre in Yangon. There are fears the military takeover is turning Myanmar into a failed state. — AP

ASEAN members, collectively or otherwise, should tighten the screws on Myanmar’s military by engaging with the National Unity Government (NUG) – the parallel government run by civilians in hiding – before geopolitical manoeuvres by superpowers further complicate solutions to the crisis, according to some experts.

The recommendation from a group of veteran diplomats and regional experts follows a week of hectic diplomatic activities outside the region, after Asean Chair Brunei failed to convince the junta to implement the five-point consensus approved by Asean leaders back in April to end the violence.