BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Myanmar’s military rulers have agreed to an Asean call for a ceasefire until the end of the year for the distribution of humanitarian aid, said Japan’s Kyodo news agency, citing Asean’s envoy to the crisis-torn nation.
Following a coup in February, the bloc has been trying to end violence in which hundreds have been killed in Myanmar, and open a dialogue between the military rulers and their opponents.
Envoy Erywan Yusof proposed the ceasefire in a videoconference with Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, and the military accepted it, he told the agency.
“This is not a political ceasefire. This is a ceasefire to ensure (the) safety (and) security of the humanitarian workers” in their effort to distribute aid safely, he said, according to the report yesterday.
“They didn’t have any disagreement with what I said, with regard to the ceasefire.”
Erywan has also passed his proposal indirectly to parties opposed to the junta, added the report.
A military spokesman did not answer calls from Reuters seeking comment.
The junta cannot be trusted to honour the deal, however, Myanmar pro-democracy activist Thinzar ShunLei Yi told Reuters, adding: “Ceasefires buy more time for the military to reload bullets.”
Maw Htun Aung, a deputy minister in the National Unity Government comprising opponents of military rule, said Asean needs to tell the junta to stop “killing and terrorising” its own people.
In an interview with Reuters on Saturday, Erywan said he is still negotiating with the military over the terms of a visit that he hopes to make before late next month, and has sought access to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
“What we are calling for now is… for all sides to undertake a cessation of violence, especially with regard to the distribution of humanitarian assistance.”
Asean nations and dialogue partners have pledged US$8 million (RM33.2 million) in aid for Myanmar, he said.
The military seized power after alleging irregularities in an election swept by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party. International monitors and the electoral body at the time said the army accusations were wrong. – Reuters, September 6, 2021
