Myanmar coup: US calls on China, ASEAN grouping to pressure junta

The peace deal between the ASEAN group of countries and the junta government in Myanmar has resulted in little progress as the military continues its rule over the country. The US Secretary of State has called on the regional grouping and China to pressure Myanmar’s coup leaders to return the country to democracy.

At a news conference in Bangkok Sunday as part of his tour of Southeast Asia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on the ASEAN group of countries to hold Myanmar’s junta government accountable for its peace agreement.

The regional grouping and the coup leader Min Aung Hlaing signed a peace deal that immediately ceased violence and dialogue among all parties.

“Regional support for the regime’s adherence to the five-point consensus developed by ASEAN is critical – that has not happened,” said Blinken.

“The ASEAN countries need to hold the regime accountable for that … continue to demand the cessation of violence and release of prisoners,” said the top diplomat, who also said it is in “China’s interest” to see Myanmar return to democracy, urging Beijing to also hold the junta accountable.

The Myanmar military has doubled down on its crackdown on ethnic minority militias and militant groups allied with the ousted government as resistance to the junta has grown since the generals seized power and overthrew the democratically-elected government.

This follows an incident Thursday last week when Thailand scrambled fighter jets following an incursion on its airspace by Myanmar. Thailand also ordered its defense attache to issue a warning to the junta about the incursion, according to the Thai air force.

Two F-16 fighter planes were dispatched when a radar identified a plane in the country’s airspace in Tak province, which is close to its border with Myanmar. The military at that time has ramped up its crackdown on ethnic minority rebels.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters Friday that while the incident appeared to be serious, it was not “a big deal,” and Myanmar’s defense attache apologized for the incursion.

Human rights activists have criticized the junta for its air strikes and use of artillery in its crackdown on rebels who oppose the regime. Thousands have been detained, and hundreds were killed in the junta’s crackdown on Myanmar since its generals seized power.