(Bloomberg) -- Myanmar’s junta told its neighbors including China and India that it’s on track to hold elections next year as a regional meeting hosted by Thailand underscored the need to restore normalcy in the strife-torn country at the earliest, Thai officials said.
Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Than Swe met top diplomats and senior representatives from Thailand, China, India, Laos and Bangladesh in an informal consultation in Bangkok on Thursday, and shared a roadmap of efforts to prepare for a general election planned for next year, according to Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.
Preparations for the vote “include conducting population census, registration of political parties, of which there are currently 53,” Maris told reporters after the meeting. “They also expressed their intention to invite election observers from abroad, such as from neighboring countries.”
Myanmar’s military regime has been unable to stabilize the country and stem a widespread rebellion since Min Aung Hlaing seized power in a 2021 coup and toppled a civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. With the economy in a tailspin, questions have been raised over how long the generals can retain power, especially as ethnic armed groups make gains in the north and the west of the country.
The junta’s efforts to hold elections — already delayed by more than two years — have been met with lukewarm response from rebel groups and Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party.
The six-nation meeting was initiated by Thailand and the first time a Myanmar junta representative was invited to such a gathering, according to Maris. The move reflects the sincerity and the firm intention of all involved in stepping up efforts to address the common concerns about Myanmar, he said.
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“All neighboring countries have a shared interest in seeing a peaceful, stable and unified Myanmar. They agreed that all parties within Myanmar must cease the use of violence,” Maris said, adding that Thursday’s meeting should complement larger efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to end the Myanmar crisis. “It’s time to talk to find a peaceful solution.”
Foreign ministers of the countries in the 10-member bloc known as Asean are due to meet on Friday in Bangkok to look at the implementation of the so-called Five-Point Consensus meant to help end the civil war.
Thailand is leading a diplomatic solution to the Myanmar crisis as it shares a long border and sources a significant amount of oil and gas from the country. Mounting clashes between junta and ethnic minority militias and pro-democracy fighters have also forced people to seek shelter along the border periodically, posing challenges for Thai authorities.
More than 6,000 civilians have been killed since the coup with about 21,000 people still in junta custody since the coup that saw the arrest of Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
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