ASEAN sticks to its Myanmar peace plan five years and counting; ‘Cebu Declaration’ made at 48th Summit

ASEAN sticks to its Myanmar peace plan five years and counting

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called on Burma to cease violence against civilians and release all political prisoners in a joint statement from 10 of the 11 member states following the conclusion of the ASEAN 48th Summit in Cebu, Philippines, on Saturday. ASEAN expressed “deep concern” over the lack of progress in Burma towards the implementation of its Five-Point Consensus.

This is the regional bloc’s peace plan developed in response to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s military coup in Burma on Feb. 1, 2021. It calls for an end to violence, the release of political prisoners, and inclusive dialogue among stakeholders. Min Aung Hlaing, who became regime leader after the 2021 coup, agreed to the ASEAN peace plan in April 2021 but failed to implement it upon his return to Naypyidaw.

ASEAN welcomed the amnesty for Burma’s elected leaders, including the release of President Win Myint from Taungoo Prison on April 17 and the reported transfer of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi from Naypyidaw Prison to house arrest on April 30. The Philippines, serving as ASEAN 2026 chair, urged Burma to grant its Special Envoy Ma Theresa Lazaro access to Aung San Suu Kyi in a statement prior to the summit, on May 6.