Still excluded, Myanmar regime blasts ‘discriminatory’ treatment by ASEAN

Myanmar’s military junta has publicly criticised the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for continuing to exclude its senior leaders from high-level meetings, calling the stance “restrictive” and “discriminatory” as Naypyitaw pushes for recognition following recent military-orchestrated elections. In a statement issued on Sunday, the regime’s foreign ministry said some ASEAN countries were denying Myanmar “equal representation” within the bloc while interfering in the country’s internal affairs through “criticism and pressure.” The statement came days after the 48th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines concluded without inviting junta chief Min Aung Hlaing—now “president” of a new administration dominated by former military figures—or other senior political representatives. Although the regime did not name specific countries, several ASEAN members—including Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines—have continued to insist on progress toward peace and inclusive dialogue before restoring Myanmar’s full participation in the bloc. The regime said its continued exclusion violated the principles of the ASEAN Charter. It also dismissed criticism of the elections it held between December 2025 and January 2026. The junta’s foreign ministry claimed the polls were “free and fair” and said the resulting administration represented “the genuine will of the Myanmar people.” The remarks came as several ASEAN leaders publicly acknowledged growing frustration over the lack of progress in resolving Myanmar’s post-coup crisis. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose country hosted the summit, said there was consensus among ASEAN leaders on the need to improve the situation in Myanmar, describing discussions among regional leaders as “very vibrant” and at times “emotional.” In their statement, ASEAN leaders reiterated support for the bloc’s Five-Point Consensus, adopted in 2021 after Min Aung Hlaing agreed to the plan shortly after the coup. The consensus calls for an immediate cessation of violence, inclusive dialogue among all parties, humanitarian assistance, mediation by a special ASEAN envoy, and meetings between the envoy and all stakeholders. The summit statement did not recognise the military-organised election or Myanmar’s new military-backed administration, despite recent efforts by the junta to present the political transition as a return to civilian rule. Myanmar’s military leadership has been excluded from ASEAN summits since the 2021 coup, in one of the bloc’s most serious diplomatic ruptures in recent decades.

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