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At Asean summit, Jokowi urges Myanmar coup leader to end violence

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Jakarta Globe - April 24, 2021

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia once again urged the Myanmar military to end violence, but this time, right in front of the coup leader Min Aung Hlaing.

Southeast Asian leaders finally gathered in person to meet Min Aung Hlaing at the Asean Leaders' Summit in Jakarta on Saturday. This was the junta leader's first foreign trip since the coup dawned in February. Indonesia took this "rare" opportunity to call for an end to violence, as tension heightens in Myanmar.

"Democracy, stability, and peace in Myanmar must be immediately restored. The interests of the Myanmar people must always be a priority," President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo told a conference broadcasted from the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta, following the summit.

According to Jokowi, Indonesia proposed three commitments for Myanmar's military junta to fulfill.

"The first commitment [that we proposed] is to stop violence by the Myanmar military. At the same time, all parties must exercise self-restraint to calm the tension," Jokowi said.

Secondly, Indonesia also demands the military junta to immediately start an inclusive dialogue and release all political detainees.

"There should also be the formation of an Asean special envoy – namely Asean chair and secretary-general – to push for a dialogue involving all parties in Myanmar," Jokowi added.

And last but not least is for Myanmar to open access for humanitarian aid, which is coordinated by the Asean secretary-general and the Asean Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Center).

"Indonesia is committed to guard the follow-up of those commitments in hopes to immediately resolve the Myanmar political crisis."

Jokowi revealed other Asean leaders echoed the same opinion as Indonesia. At the summit, the bloc also reached a five-point consensus, which has yet to be publicly announced.

"The consensus is similar to the national statement that I have just read earlier," the president said.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/at-asean-summit-jokowi-urges-myanmar-coup-leader-to-end-violenc

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