Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) issued a statement on Saturday, distancing itself from the comments made in the press release of Indonesia’s foreign ministry regarding the possibility of a dialogue.
The NUG clarified that the mentioned comment solely reflects the view of the special envoy’s office and is unrelated to the National Unity Government.
The statement addressed the news released by the foreign ministry of Indonesia concerning the engagement of the special envoy office with Myanmar stakeholders from November 20 to 22 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The NUG emphasized its commitment to engaging exclusively with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in the “separate meeting conducted based on groupings.”
The purpose of these engagements with Asean is to provide updates on the development of the Spring Revolution and to communicate the country's position accurately and clearly to the regional body.
The NUG asserted that it has not engaged with any individuals, including representatives of the military junta, at any place or point in time.
The statement conveyed the NUG's acknowledgment and understanding of Asean's efforts, particularly through the Office of Special Envoy, in implementing the Five-Point Consensus.
However, the NUG made its stance clear, stating that without the assurance of ending the military dictatorship, establishing a federal democratic union, and ensuring genuine popular will, spring forces, and justice during a transitional period, there will be no engagement.
Indonesia had announced on Friday that it hosted a meeting involving key stakeholders in the Myanmar conflict, where positive indications for inclusive dialogue were received from participants.
The meeting, held from November 20 to 22 in Jakarta, included pro-democracy groups, ethnic minority armies, and a shadow National Unity Government. Notably, the military junta was not present, represented instead by "interlocutors," as per Indonesia's foreign ministry statement.
The NUG's clarification underscores its commitment to principled engagement within the Asean framework and its insistence on specific conditions for any dialogue, reinforcing its position in the ongoing efforts to address the crisis in Myanmar.
