Ahead of the ASEAN Chair's visit, there are concerns about Hun Sen's goals

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will visit Myanmar later this week, which has been wracked by turmoil since a military coup last year.

But, as he prepares for a visit to Myanmar on Jan. 7 in an attempt to reintegrate Myanmar into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, he holds out hope for a peaceful resolution to the country's protracted issue (ASEAN).

Last year, the bloc isolated Myanmar due to junta leader Min Aung Hlaing's failure to follow through on a vow to enact a peace plan.

 

"Only those who represent political parties are allowed to meet and hold discussions," junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun told RFA. "Those who are still facing legal charges face restrictions." Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been arrested since the coup's first day in February, and she is facing junta lawsuits that many believe are politically motivated.

 

Hun Sen said in Phnom Penh on Wednesday that he had not set any preconditions for his journey to Myanmar, but that his goals were not far from the five-point consensus or the peace plan.

He urged all onlookers not to jump to conclusions about the outcome of his visit to Myanmar too soon.
According to the Cambodian national news agency, AKP, if the results are positive, it may bring peace to Myanmar, and the people of Myanmar will recognise the ASEAN member states' efforts.

While the prime minister's return was scheduled for the afternoon of January 8, he said it might be postponed if there is a positive resolution in Myanmar's issue.

 

Myanmar citizens, on the other hand, are concerned that Hun Sen's visit will lend legitimacy to the regime, as he will be the first foreign leader to meet the ruling generals, who have been widely condemned for their brutality against their own people, including the deaths of over 1,300 people for defying their rule.

It's not surprising that Hun Sen's visit has sparked fury on social media, given the regime's continued arrests and killings, as well as the burning down of villages where armed resistance has taken place.

Many people also criticise Hun Sen's relationship with the regime, claiming that he should be interacting with all significant players in Myanmar, including the National Unity Government, a shadow civilian government.

 

Hun Sen's planned visit was opposed by 200 civil society organisations from Myanmar and beyond in a joint statement released on Tuesday.

Last April, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and leaders of ASEAN member states reached a five-point agreement aimed at re-establishing Myanmar's democratic path.
The agreement called for the cessation of violence, the appointment of a special ASEAN envoy to Myanmar with access to all sides of the conflict, and the provision of humanitarian aid.
However, the regime's head disobeyed the agreement, causing ASEAN to expel him from its summit in October of last year.

 

The Five-Point Consensus has the support of ASEAN and the United Nations General Assembly, which "must ensure that Hun Sen does not act alone in 2022—lending legitimacy to the Myanmar military regime and further emboldening them to wreak greater harm to the people," according to civil society organisations.

Last week, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn informed UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Dr. Noeleen Heyzer that Phnom Penh was dedicated to pursuing "a practical step-by-step approach toward achieving progress on the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus implementation."

According Cambodia The Phnom Penh Post, Hun Sen initially blamed Myanmar for its exclusion from the ASEAN summit.
But soon after receiving the ceremonial gavel for ASEAN's revolving chairmanship, he altered his tune.