Myanmar junta urges Asean envoy not to engage with 'terrorist' groups

Myanmar's military government has criticized  calls for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (Asean) special envoy to the conflict-torn country to meet bodies that oppose 2021's coup, which the junta has declared as "terrorist" groups.

With little sign of the junta implementing a five-point peace plan agreed upon with Asean in 2021, which included an immediate end to hostilities and letting a special envoy facilitate dialogue, growing divisions have emerged in the 10-member bloc over how to restore stability.

After last Thursday's Asean foreign ministers meeting, Indonesia said it was crucial for the envoy to meet all parties in the conflict, with Malaysia calling for talks with the National Unity Government (NUG), a group made up of members of the ousted administration and other junta opponents. 

"The ministry notes that while some deliberations were constructive on the implementation of the five-point consensus, two members have suggested special envoy to engage with unlawful associations and terrorist groups," Myanmar's ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.

In its first public response to last week's Asean meeting, the ministry said suggesting the envoy engage with such groups was "not only contrary to the principles of the Asean charter but also undermine Asean's counter-terrorism efforts."

Representatives from the military-controlled government haven't been invited to Asean meetings since 2021.