ASEAN denies Myanmar chairmanship in 2026
Southeast Asian leaders decided on Tuesday that Myanmar will not be allowed to take over the rotating leadership of their regional bloc as scheduled in 2026. The decision was made in response to the military coup that took place in Myanmar in February 2021 and the subsequent violence and instability in the country.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization that promotes intergovernmental cooperation and economic integration among its 10 member states. The rotating chairmanship of ASEAN is held by each member state for one year.
Myanmar was scheduled to take over the chairmanship in 2026, but the decision to deny them the chairmanship was made by consensus among the other ASEAN members. The decision was reportedly made in response to the military coup that took place in Myanmar in February 2021 and the subsequent violence and instability in the country.
The military coup in Myanmar led to the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup has been met with widespread protests and a civil war. The United Nations estimates that over 1,500 people have been killed in the violence.
The decision to deny Myanmar the chairmanship of ASEAN is a significant blow to the military junta. The chairmanship of ASEAN is a prestigious position and it would have given the junta a platform to promote its legitimacy. The decision also sends a message to the junta that ASEAN will not tolerate the coup and the violence in Myanmar.
The Philippines has been asked to take over the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026. The Philippines has said that it is committed to working with ASEAN to promote peace and stability in Myanmar.
The decision to deny Myanmar the chairmanship of ASEAN is a significant step by ASEAN. It is a sign that ASEAN is willing to take a stand against the military coup and the violence in Myanmar. The decision is also a test of ASEAN’s unity and its ability to address the challenges facing the region.
