ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus, A Panacea and A New Actor on Myanmar's Political Stage (Article)

Nicholas Kong Mizzima. The Mizzima. A theatrical performance was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 12, 2026. It was an informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the 11 ASEAN member states and the foreign minister of the elected civilian government. The meeting was the first face-to-face encounter between top diplomats since the ASEAN summit excluded the Myanmar military junta for over five years, following the military's violent overthrow of the democratically elected government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The Five-Point Consensus Remains Valid ASEAN does not appear to want to be taken advantage of. It continues to firmly uphold the Five-Point Consensus adopted in 2021 as the main framework for resolving Myanmar's political issues. ASEAN is watching for at least three major developments: the permanent cessation of violence, the release of all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need, regardless of their political stance. However, it is true that they are turning a deaf ear. More than five years after the coup, the military junta has disregarded these agreements, and the organizations controlled by the military have also ignored them. Impossible from the Start The first point, the cessation of violence, was an impossible situation for the military junta from the beginning. The military continues to carry out aerial bombardments across the country, targeting civilians, including children and adults, men and women, monks and laypeople, regardless of the season. Historically, the military has used ceasefire agreements not for genuine peace, but as a strategy to divide and weaken opposing forces and reduce international pressure. The second point, the release of political prisoners, is also just a trump card for the military junta. They have never considered it a humanitarian responsibility. This week's panacea from the military junta is: "Elder Sister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is healthy, and we are taking care of her like a mother." Do you still remember? It was what Brigadier General Khin Nyunt said. Now it's worse. Is it humanitarian to detain an 81-year-old mother, who was overthrown and arrested, in an unknown condition, not allowing her son to visit her, and ignoring the demands of the people and the international community?