The United Nations’ special envoy to Myanmar on Tuesday denounced what she called a “zero-sum mentality” among those involved in the long-simmering conflict there, saying that only a stop to the violence would open the door to reconciliation.
Julie Bishop made the comments in her first address to a UN General Assembly committee since being named to the position in April.
Myanmar’s military, which seized power in a 2021 coup, has faced intensified fighting for the past year from armed groups across the Southeast Asian nation, especially an alliance of ethnic rebel groups.
“Myanmar actors must move beyond the current zero-sum mentality. There can be little progress on addressing the needs of the people while armed conflict continues across the country,” Bishop said.
“Any pathway to reconciliation. . .