YANGON – Myanmar’s shadow government today urged Southeast Asian leaders to give it a seat at the table during crisis talks next week, and not to recognise the military regime that seized power in a February coup.
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing is expected to join a special Asean summit on Myanmar next Saturday in Jakarta – his first official trip overseas since the putsch that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The army has moved to quell mass protests against its rule, killing at least 730 people, according to a local monitoring group.
Min Aung Hlaing’s invitation to the meeting of the 10-country bloc has drawn scorn from activists, who urge foreign leaders not to formally recognise the junta.
Moe Zaw Oo, deputy foreign minister for the parallel “national unity government” (NUG) – formed on Friday by ousted lawmakers mostly from Suu Kyi’s party, as well as ethnic-minority politicians – said Asean has not reached out to them.
“If Asean wants to help solve the Myanmar situation, they are not going to achieve anything without consulting and negotiating with NUG, which is supported by the people and has full legitimacy,” he told Voice of America’s Burmese service.
“It’s important that this military council is not recognised. This needs to be handled carefully.”
Unrest continued across the country today, with protesters rallying in Mandalay, Meiktila, Magway and Myingyan, showing support for NUG.
At Palaw in the south, demonstrators brandished banners that read: “Military dictators should not be allowed to rule. The dictatorship will be uprooted. Support NUG.”
Young demonstrators also staged motorcycle rallies while carrying flags in Hpakant and Sagaing.
Much of Myanmar remains under a curfew imposed shortly after the February 1 coup, running from 8pm to 4am daily. – AFP, April 18, 2021
