ASEAN Special Envoy Meeting is not a normal political reconstruction but to end military dominance, SCEF releases

It has been reported that SCEF member organizations participated in discussions hosted by the Royal Thai Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the invitation of the Philippines' Minister of Foreign Affairs, the ASEAN Special Envoy for Myanmar. In these discussions, SCEF member organizations held separate meetings with the ASEAN Special Envoy, not together with representatives of the military junta. According to an SCEF statement, the meeting was aimed at resolving the causes of the Myanmar conflict and achieving a successful political transition towards a federal democratic union, and not for normal political reconstruction, but to end military dominance. The statement also said that discussions solely aimed at reducing violence, while leaving behind military dominance, a highly centralized authoritarian system, and fundamental political deadlock, would not bring about lasting peace. SCEF's statement said that regional and international partners have no right to decide the direction, pace, structure, and political outcomes of Myanmar's political transition, and that the peace process belongs to Myanmar, with decisions owned by Myanmar's political stakeholders. It was reported that the purpose of the meeting was to exchange views on Myanmar's current situation, efforts to implement ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus, and the essential conditions for a credible peace and political transition process. Furthermore, the Federal Democracy Union Construction Steering Council (SCEF) statement said that it is important for ASEAN to ensure the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, which should include the immediate release of political prisoners, meaningful humanitarian access for civilians, and practical mechanisms to reduce violence. SCEF member organizations include the Karen National Union (KNU), Karenni State, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), and the Chin National Front (CNF). Towards the end of this year, 2026, the Philippines' Minister of Foreign Affairs, Teodoro Locsin Jr., the ASEAN Special Envoy for Myanmar, will visit Myanmar, and ASEAN countries have supported the mission to implement special humanitarian programs.