Min Aung Hlaing Bemoans International Pariah Status Despite Regime Rebrand

Just a month into his self-installed presidency, Min Aung Hlaing has bemoaned the international community’s refusal to drop sanctions or recognize his rebranded military regime.

The coup leader told Wednesday’s cabinet meeting that democratic countries should respect the result of Myanmar’s December-January election and the new government it delivered.

His comments came as the European Union extended sanctions and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) continued to bar him from regional meetings, even as the regime released former president U Win Myint from prison and transferred Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to residential detention.

Myanmar’s ruling generals were banned from attending regional summits after failing to implement ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus peace plan—which calls for an end to violence, inclusive dialogue, and humanitarian access—following the 2021 military coup. The ban sidelines Min Aung Hlaing as Southeast Asian heads of government gather in Cebu for the 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit this Friday.

The regional bloc remains undecided on whether to recognize Myanmar’s junta-run vote, according to ASEAN spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial.

“At the moment, ASEAN has not reached any consensus with regard to the recognition of the results of the election in Myanmar,” he said, speaking ahead of the summit.

Four of the bloc’s 11 members—Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei—have broken ranks to congratulate Min Aung Hlaing on his presidency.

As in previous summits, Myanmar will be represented by its Foreign Ministry permanent secretary—a civilian.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Tuesday he plans to invite his Myanmar counterpart to meet top regional diplomats, as Bangkok seeks ASEAN consensus for greater engagement with the new military government.

This would be another meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting,” he told Reuters. “And then he [the regime’s foreign minister] can brief us on recent developments, on what they plan to do.”

Sihasak spoke a fortnight after holding talks with Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw, becoming the first foreign minister to meet the junta chief since he installed himself as president.

On Wednesday, the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC‑M)—a group of former foreign ministers and United Nations experts—urged ASEAN to deny the regime legitimacy, citing its escalation of atrocities targeting civilians.

Meanwhile activist group Justice for Myanmar called on the US, Canada, the UK, EU, and Australia to expand sanctions against the rebranded junta, which is now lobbying for recognition. The group revealed that the regime is paying US lobbyist Roger Stone, a close confidante of US President Donald Trump, US$50,000 a month to “rebuild” Naypyitaw’s relations with Washington, with a focus on trade, natural resources, and humanitarian relief.

Min Aung Hlaing pledged in his inaugural presidential address to pursue friendly ties with all countries and restore normal relations with ASEAN. However, Naypyitaw’s diplomatic visitors remain largely confined to envoys from China, Russia, Thailand, and India, underscoring the regime’s continued isolation and prompting the regime chief to air his grievances over ongoing restrictions.

Min Aung Hlaing repeatedly sought to underscore his legitimacy during Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, insisting that his administration was chosen by citizens who “queued up to cast their ballots.”

In reality, the polls were held under martial law, with opposition parties barred and millions disenfranchised.

Despite Thailand’s outreach, the regime chief has continued to disregard ASEAN’s Five‑Point Consensus, imposing martial law across 60 townships, pounding resistance-held areas while calling for peace talks, and pressing offensives to recapture towns.

Nearly a month into its new term, the regime remains barred from representation at the United Nations, as the UN, EU, US, UK, and other Western nations—along with key ASEAN member states—refuse to grant it diplomatic recognition.

Despite its international pariah status, the regime continues to enjoy unwavering support from its most powerful ally, China. During his April 25 visit to Naypyitaw, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping’s congratulations on Min Aung Hlaing’s installation as president, declaring that Beijing would stand firmly behind Myanmar on the global stage. Wang said China would continue to back Myanmar’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability.