ASEAN‘s Authority Eroded as Myanmar Crisis Reveals ‘Coworking Space’ Status
Jakarta, indonesia – October 26, 2023, 08:00 WIB - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has seen its regional authority diminished, increasingly resembling a forum for discussion rather than a driver of impactful policy, particularly highlighted by its ineffective response to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. The 2021 military coup in Myanmar exposed a critical weakness within the organization, revealing a lack of enforcement mechanisms and a reliance on consensus that ultimately prioritized member state sovereignty over decisive action.
The failure to implement the Five-Point Consensus – a plan brokered under Indonesia’s 2023 chairmanship aimed at resolving the Myanmar conflict – underscores ASEAN’s limitations. Despite initial optimism, the junta disregarded all commitments, escalating violence and carrying out executions of political prisoners while ASEAN members largely refrained from robust intervention. This inaction has prompted growing criticism that ASEAN has been reduced to a “coworking space” for diplomatic dialog, lacking the power to compel compliance or effectively address critical regional challenges. The situation impacts not only the people of Myanmar, but also regional stability and ASEAN’s credibility on the global stage, potentially inviting greater external influence in Southeast Asia.
ASEAN was founded in 1967 with the initial goal of promoting regional peace and cooperation during the Cold War. Over the decades, it expanded its focus to include economic, political, security, and socio-cultural cooperation among its ten member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.Though, the organization’s core principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states has consistently hampered its ability to respond effectively to crises like the one unfolding in Myanmar.
The Five-Point Consensus, agreed upon in April 2021, called for an immediate cessation of violence, constructive dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special ASEAN envoy, humanitarian assistance, and the envoy’s visit to Myanmar. The junta accepted the plan but afterward stalled on implementation, refusing access to the special envoy and continuing its crackdown on dissent. ASEAN’s subsequent attempts to address the situation through diplomatic pressure proved insufficient, with member states hesitant to impose meaningful sanctions or take other coercive measures that coudl be perceived as violating the principle of non-interference.
This pattern of ineffectiveness raises questions about ASEAN’s future role in regional security and its ability to address emerging challenges,including territorial disputes in the South China Sea and the rise of transnational threats like terrorism and climate change. The organization now faces a critical juncture, requiring a reevaluation of its principles and mechanisms to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
