Does anyone remember the ASEAN 5-point consensus? Exactly one year ago, ASEAN held a summit in Jakarta. Min Aung Hlaing used the opportunity to fly to Indonesia, acting as the legitimate leader of Myanmar (he is not). The result of the summit was a 5-point consensus calling for a 1) cessation of violence 2) peaceful solution 3) an ASEAN special envoy to mediate the negotiations between the military regime and Myanmar people 4) humanitarian aid to be provided by ASEAN 5) A visit in Myanmar from the ASEAN special envoy to meet all parties involved.
No timeframe was set at that time, and the 5-point consensus was so vague, that he immediately raised skepticism among most observers. 12 months later, 2 ASEAN chairmen later, 2 ASEAN special envoys later (does anyone remember their names?), non of the 5 points have been implemented. The only real result of the summit, was to give an excuse to the United Nations and western democracies for inaction, as they all could defer any solution to the Southeast Asian organization.
The Burmese military is still killing and arresting civilians, blocking humanitarian aid, while refusing to even acknowledge the existence of the opposing National Unity Government.
It’s no surprise. We’ve seen this movie before: the Burmese military promising to implement a 7-steps roadmap towards democracy, or a 5-point consensus or whatever number of steps towards something that the generals in reality never wanted: peace and giving up their power. Nobody in Myanmar genuinely trusts the military anymore. Those who claim the generals should be trusted, are those who have a vested interest in a Myanmar under military rule. Those who want to believe the Burmese military can change, are the ones seeking for an excuse to not act.
It’s been 12 months since the 5-point consensus was announced, and nothing happened. But ethnic groups in Myanmar have experienced this for decades.
The regime must fall.
POLITICS, ECONOMY AND OTHER NEWS
• According to DVB, Ko Ko Lay, the Mandalay district vice chairman of the National League for Democracy (NLD) died of a cerebral ischemia in Pindaya (Shan State), where he was hiding, after receiving the news that his wife was recently murdered by the military regime.
• Popular actor and model Ming Mai passed away
SAGAING
• Ta Laing Kyun: 4 civilians have been reportedly killed by regime troops
• Thapyethar village: according to Khit Thit Media a monk and a woman were killed by regime troops
• Kalay: clashes between Resistance fighters and regime soldiers near Nat Chaung village
KAREN (KAYIN) STATE
• Kyainseikgyi: a soldier and a woman have been reportedly killed during a shootout at the Tagun Daing Village police station
COVID DAILY (as reported by the military-controlled Ministry of Health. Real figures are believed to be higher than officially reported)
• 16 new cases and 0 new deaths
AAPP Burma daily update (arrests and killings connected to the attempted military coup only, does not include events related to armed conflict). Since February 1st:
• 1,782 killed (+3)
• 13,334 total arrests (+8)
• 1,977 evading warrant (+0)
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