Myanmar coup: UN chief calls on junta to return to democracy

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Myanmar’s junta government to return the country to a democracy. Guterres said the current unrest in the country was undermining peace in the region.

Speaking to reporters Sunday, Guterres said that the current crisis in Myanmar is an “unending nightmare” for the people as well as undermining peace and stability in the region. Guterres called for the ruling generals to release all political prisoners and return to democracy.

“The situation in Myanmar is an unending nightmare for the people and a threat to peace and security across the region,” said Guterres. “I urge the authorities of Myanmar to listen to their people, release political prisoners, and get the democratic transition back on track immediately. That is the only way to stability and peace.”

Myanmar has been under junta rule since February 2021, when the generals staged a coup and seized power from the elected government, ousting its leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup sparked protests for democracy, and the military carried out a brutal crackdown on the protests, killing and detaining thousands.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has also expressed frustration with the lack of progress by the junta in complying with its peace agreement.

Following his meeting with the ASEAN leaders, Guterres stressed the importance of the peace agreement being implemented.

“Indiscriminate attacks on civilians are horrendous and heartbreaking,” said Guterres, referring to the brutal escalation by the military against armed opposition. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said that over 2,400 people have been killed by the military since the beginning of the coup, while the United Nations children’s agency said that around one million people have been displaced.

The ASEAN bloc has demanded that the junta implement the peace plan agreed upon after seizing power during the first day of the grouping’s summit in Cambodia last week. The leaders of the bloc have since barred junta chief Min Aung Hlaing from attending the conference in the face of frustration by the generals who appear uninterested in enforcing the peace plan.

On the sidelines of the summit, Indonesian President Joko Widodo told reporters that he proposed broadening the ban on Myanmar political representatives at ASEAN events.