Part 4/10:
One of the key hurdles for ASEAN is its internal division. Member countries vary significantly in their approaches to Myanmar, with some condemning the military regime and others adopting a more cautious or silent stance. This division hampers a unified regional response and prevents ASEAN from taking decisive collective action.
The decision to exclude Myanmar’s political representatives from ASEAN summits was seen as a necessary step, but some experts argue that simply leaving seats vacant diminishes ASEAN’s leverage. The suggestion is to invite Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) and other democratic leaders to participate in informal or separate dialogues, thereby maintaining pressure while fostering dialogue.