IN 2021, the junta overthrew the civilian government of Myanmar. 

In response, the United Nations initiated a security resolution that demanded that Myanmar be restored to the leadership of the NUG. This was supported by a plethora of nations ranging from the United States to Australia. The European Union responded swiftly with strong sanctions, attempting to economically weaken key, state-owned institutions of oil and gas in Myanmar. The EU also suspended crucial development assistance to Myanmar. The economic sanctions have yielded little fruit. Loopholes embedded in the sanctions have inadvertently allowed for trade between the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise and various EU operators.

The punitive initiatives of the EU, combined with its refusal to legitimise the Tatmadaw administration, has only served to intensify pressure on the junta. The suspension of aid, considered crucial for Burmese development, further impacts the welfare of the Burmese. The EU must continue to provide humanitarian assistance and intensify measures to protect the people of Myanmar.

Asean’s immediate response to the coup differs in strategy to the EU’s as some members have advocated for a softer approach. Asean authorities have attempted to initiate meetings with leaders of the Tatmadaw.  There are ideological disagreements within Asean itself – Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore have condemned the Tatmadaw outright and urged greater action while Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei have opted to maintain neutrality.

The disagreements within the Asean coalition serves to stymie attempts to establish concrete action with regard to the mitigation of the crisis. 

A five-point consensus peace plan was initiated at the 2021 Asean summit in Jakarta. The plan called for  an immediate end to violence in the country, dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, humanitarian assistance from Asean, and the special envoy’s visit to Myanmar to meet with all parties.

A joint statement from the EU and Asean at the  2022 EU-Asean summit emphasised commitments to facilitate a peaceful resolution in Myanmar. Further discussions may be necessary to contextualise the involvement of the EU and Asean in Myanmar’s internal affairs. The issue, given its manifold complexities, requires a pragmatic solution and approach.

In 2023, Western powers have significantly increased pressure on the Burmese junta. The UK, US and Canada have imposed more sanctions on the Union Election Commission – the national electoral commission of Myanmar – and two military-linked bodies. This comes at a time of heightened tensions in the country as the junta continues to aggressively provoke military advances. UN special rapporteur in Myanmar, Tom Andrews recently revealed in a report that the military junta imported an estimated US$1 (RM4.5) billion worth of goods to enhance local manufacturing of weapons. The report also stated that Myanmar purchased US$406 million of arms from Russia and US$267 million from China. The Tatmadaw has murdered 3,500 civilians and cracked down on political dissent, arresting 20,000 civilians. The international community must recognise the urgency of restoring stability in Myanmar as current initiatives – in the form of sanctions – have been nullified through the indirect supply and purchase of military weaponry. 

On May 7, a convoy delivering aid to Myanmar from the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management came under fire from military. Myanmar is at a critical juncture and in desperate need of an emergency lifeline. Cyclone Mocha has ravaged the country, displacing about 400,000 and killing 400. Military violence in the country has persisted regardless. Its exacerbation will deprive of communities—particularly in the Rakhine state—of humanitarian resources.

The situation in Myanmar must be acknowledged to be a global emergency; one that needs the directed attention of major world powers. Myanmar not only requires the support of the international community to enhance humanitarian efforts, it also needs stricter initiatives for demilitarisation. 

The people of Myanmar deserve a future. This is only possible if they are given a chance to rebuild. To rebuild, they must have sovereignty. – May 23, 2023.

* Pravin Periasamy reads The Malaysian Insight.