CNI News
28 August 2023
Reviews and discussions are under way among Myanmar politicians why Myanmar can't take the ASEAN chairmanship after the news that Myanmar has abandoned its rotating chairmanship came out According to PBS, a Thai News Agency, Myanmar said.
that it would take the ASEAN chairmanship only in 2027 as it wouldn't be ready to take the chairmanship in 2026 because of its domestic issues.
SAC and ASEAN need to approve that Myanmar has abandoned its rotating chairmanship, and there is a question whether an elected government can't arise until 2026, or not, said Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), to CNI News.
An ASEAN meeting hosted by Myanmar was being held in 2014 under the government led by U Thein Sein
" It is important whether the news is true or not. News makers will write why. Because of Mahathir, Myanmar joined the ASEAN under U Than Shwe. But U Than Shwe didn't take the chairmanship. In 2014 when an elected government had arisen, Myanmar took the chairmanship under U Thein Sein. Those who want to analyze the situation of Myanmar ask what will happen in 2026. The answer from the SAC is needed. The SAC have to answer whether its period will be until 2026 or not and whether an elected government will arise or not until that year. Those who want to ask such questions probably released the news." he said.
A traffic circle in Naypyidaw
Although Myanmar got a chance for the ASEAN rotating chairmanship according to the English alphabet in 2006 after it became a member of ASEAN in 1997, it was not able to take the chairmanship because of its domestic problems.
Myanmar was able to take the chairmanship under the President U Thein Sein in 2014.
It would depend on whether an elected government would arise in 2026 or not, said Col.Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) to CNI News.
"The political situation in our country is not normal. Whether Myanmar is ready to take the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026 or not depends on whether an elceted government will arise in 2026 or not." he said.
Due to the political landscapes that changed after 1st February, 2021, armed conflicts have been breaking out widely in the country which is facing with crises.
ASEAN would not easily give the chairmanship to the SAC, said Ko Banyar, director of the Karenni Human Rights Organization, to CNI News.
"If the ASEAN give the chairmanship to the military council that is cruel and violates the human rights, it will be the ASEAN's history. If it gives the chairmanship to the SAC, it violates its charter that will build democracy, peace and harmony. Because it is related to the dignity of ASEAN, ASEAN will not easily give the chairmanship to the military council." he said.
The State Administration council that has taken power has said that it will hand over the winning political party after a general election is held.
