The Steering Council for Federal Democracy Union (SCEF) stated on July 15 that the military junta has shown no genuine commitment or evidence of sincerity toward political negotiations despite its public invitation for dialogue.
The statement was issued following a meeting on July 13th between SCEF members — including the Karen National Union (KNU), Karenni Nationalities Progressive Party (KNPP), Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), and Chin National Front (CNF) — and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chair’s Special Envoy on Myanmar, who is also the Foreign Minister of the Philippines, as well as representatives from the Royal Thai Government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
SCEF clarified that its members did not meet with the ASEAN alongside representatives of the military junta, but instead held a separate meeting with the ASEAN representatives. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Myanmar’s current situation, efforts to implement the ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus, and the essential conditions required for a credible peace process and political transition.
In its statement, SCEF said that the military junta continues to launch unrestricted attacks against civilians, and therefore its invitation for political dialogue cannot lead to meaningful negotiations. It emphasized that genuine political dialogue requires trust, and building trust requires concrete actions.
The statement also noted that Myanmar’s governance is no longer solely centered in Naypyidaw. Across many parts of the country, governance is increasingly being carried out based on states and regional units, with local representative authorities managing territorial administration, public security, judicial affairs, public services, and representing the political aspirations of their respective communities.
Meanwhile, the group, Justice For Myanmar stated on July 15th that the ASEAN must stand with the people of Myanmar and should not provide legitimacy to the military junta, which it said is responsible for the suffering experienced by the people of Myanmar.
Myanmar political analyst Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw said that although the ASEAN may engage with the military junta if it succeeds in forming a government-like structure after holding what she described as an illegitimate election, the junta will never gain genuine public support.
“After the military held an election and managed to form a new government, the ASEAN and other organizations may engage with it because they are institutions that deal with existing de facto governments. There may be some form of engagement again. However, this government will never be able to gain the most important thing — the support of the people. Without that support, it cannot revive Myanmar’s economy, and it will continue to face increasing opposition from the people,” she said.
SCEF stated that widespread armed conflicts following the military coup have fundamentally changed Myanmar’s political landscape and created new realities on the ground.
The statement added that political arrangements based on previous assumptions will not bring sustainable peace. Attempts to prematurely restore political normalcy would further worsen the country’s already divided political situation.
Following the military coup, democratic forces and ethnic armed organizations have resisted the military junta, capturing and controlling numerous towns while working to establish and operate administrative systems in areas under their control.
