ASEAN special envoy travels to Burma to try to mediate

General Min Aung Hlaing, head of the military administration that has seized power in Burma since February 2021, here in March 2021. REUTERS - Stringer.

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The special envoy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has started a five-day visit during which he is due to meet the head of the military junta and other political representatives, but not Aung San Suu Kyi, who is still being held incommunicado.

One more attempt to resolve the bloody conflict in which the country is engaged, but the interview is only one step in a process that promises to be long and difficult.

Advertising

Read more

With our regional correspondent,

Carol Isoux

Prak Sokhon, the special envoy of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), who is also Cambodia's foreign minister, is due to meet Min Aung Hlaing, the general at the head of the military administration. who has seized power in Burma since February 2021, as well as ethnic army representatives who wish to engage in a peace process.

The aim is to open a dialogue with the military junta to urge it to respect a five-point agreement signed last year in which it undertakes to end violence against civilians.

No meeting with Aung Sang Suu Kyi

On the other hand, no meeting is planned either with the ethnic groups in armed struggle against the junta, or with the former head of state

Aung Sang Suu Kyi, who is being held incommunicado

in a Naypidaw prison, without any contact with the government. 'outside.

Her relatives say they are worried about the state of health of the one who has just spent her 77th birthday in solitary confinement.

Far from demanding her release, the ASEAN envoy is content for the moment to ask that the Lady of Rangoon be authorized to spend the rest of her detention under house arrest.

► Also to listen: Chinese visit to Burma: "China will probably renew its support for the Burmese junta"

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_EN

  • Burma

  • ASEAN

  • Diplomacy

  • Aung San Suu Kyi