JakartaGlobe-May 9, 2023
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday condemned an attack in Myanmar on ASEAN officials delivering humanitarian aid and called for an end to violence in the strife-torn country. Jokowi did not provide details of the incident but said it would not deter efforts by Indonesia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to push for peace in Myanmar. “Stop using force, stop violence because it’s the people who will be victims. This condition will not make anybody win,” he said, adding that Indonesia encourages all stakeholders to have a dialogue and find solutions. It remained unclear who was behind the attack. Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government, which is allied with the anti-junta militias, the People’s Defence Forces (PDF), said it was not aware of any attack. The PDF did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the Myanmar junta did not respond to a request for comment. ASEAN has been trying to kick-start a five-point plan agreed with Myanmar two years ago after mediation attempts to end violence failed. But its efforts have stalled as the junta ignores international criticism and refuses to engage with its opponents, which include ousted lawmakers, anti-coup “People’s Defence Forces” and ethnic minority armed groups. An air strike on a village in a rebel stronghold last month that reportedly killed dozens of people sparked global condemnation and worsened the junta’s isolation. Read more a: https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2023/05/08/jokowi-condemns-attack-on-asean-officials-delivering-aid-in-myanmar.html.
