No Asean consensus yet on Myanmar election recognition – spokesperson

CEBU, Philippines — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member states have not yet reached a consensus on the recognition of Myanmar’s most recent elections.

This comes after Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was sworn in as president in April, continuing his rule from a civilian post five years after seizing power in a military coup.

“At the moment, Asean has not reached any consensus with regard to the recognition of the results of the election in Myanmar,” Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asean Affairs and Asean 2026 spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial said on Wednesday.

READ: Myanmar junta chief sworn in as president

He added that there is a continued engagement within Asean with regard to its relationship with Myanmar.

“So that said, what we’re really looking at is the future development that we would like to see when it comes to the implementation of the five-point consensus,” he said.

Imperial was referring to the five-point agreement made calling for the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar, constructive dialogue among all parties, mediation by an Asean special envoy, humanitarian assistance, and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar.

READ: Southeast Asian lawmakers urge Asean to condemn Myanmar martial law

The Philippines chairs this year’s Asean, taking what would have been Myanmar’s turn after the latter was suspended from chairing the meeting following the military’s seizure of power. /dl