UN special envoy for Myanmar to step down: UN chief spokesman

The United Nations’ special envoy for Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, will be stepping down in June after an 18-month tenure marked by criticism from both the military junta and its opponents. The crisis in Myanmar, which began when the military seized power in February 2021, continues to escalate despite diplomatic efforts led by the UN and ASEAN. Heyzer’s departure comes as the search for a resolution and lasting peace in the country remains elusive.

Top Chinese intelligence official visits Myanmar for ‘cooperation’ talks

A top Chinese intelligence official has visited Myanmar to discuss military “cooperation” with the junta, Myanmar state media reported. This marks the first publicly reported visit by a military official from China since the 2021 coup. China has maintained ties with the regime, supplying arms and supporting ethnic rebel groups along the border.

Myanmar rapper arrested for criticism of junta

A rapper in Myanmar, Byu Har, known for criticizing the military junta, has been arrested on charges of spreading propaganda. In a Facebook video, he criticized the junta’s handling of power outages and compared it unfavorably to the previous civilian government. Byu Har’s arrest is part of the junta’s broader crackdown on dissent, which has seen the arrest of thousands of individuals, including artists and celebrities. The power blackouts have further exacerbated the economic hardship caused by the military coup.

Cyclone Mocha death toll rises to 60 in Myanmar

The death toll from Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar has reached 60, with more expected as over 100 people are still missing. Villagers in affected areas, including Rohingya Muslim minority communities, are waiting for aid while trying to rebuild their homes. The cyclone, packing winds of up to 195 km/h, caused widespread destruction and disrupted communication in Rakhine state. The UN refugee office is investigating reports of casualties among Rohingya living in displacement camps, while neighbouring Bangladesh, home to Rohingya refugees, experienced minimal impact. The rising sea surface temperatures may have contributed to the cyclone’s intensity.

Myanmar port city cut off in Cyclone Mocha aftermath

Cyclone Mocha struck a major port city in Myanmar, cutting off tens of thousands of people from communication. The storm, the most powerful in the Bay of Bengal in over a decade, caused extensive damage in Myanmar and Bangladesh but spared Rohingya refugee camps. Efforts to assess the situation and provide relief were hampered by disrupted communication and infrastructure.

Indonesia’s Widodo says no real progress on Myanmar peace plan

Indonesian President Joko Widodo stated that Southeast Asian nations have made “no significant progress” in implementing a peace plan to end the violence in Myanmar during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. Divisions among ASEAN members and the junta’s refusal to engage with opponents have hampered efforts. The draft of the summit statement reflects the diplomatic challenges in addressing the crisis, and calls for a review of ASEAN’s charter principles.

ASEAN at a ‘crossroad’ as Myanmar violence escalates

Southeast Asian nations are facing a critical moment as violence in Myanmar dominates discussions at a regional summit. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been leading diplomatic efforts to address the crisis, but the junta’s refusal to engage with opposition groups and the recent air strike that killed many people have increased pressure on ASEAN to take stronger action. Critics argue that ASEAN’s previous initiatives have been ineffective, and there are calls for the bloc to cut off the military’s cash flow and push for reform. The shooting incident targeting an ASEAN convoy in Myanmar further raises the urgency of addressing the situation. However, ASEAN’s limited authority and principles of consensus and non-interference have hindered its ability to take decisive action.

Two Singapore embassy staff safe after ASEAN humanitarian convoy attacked in Myanmar

A humanitarian convoy consisting of diplomats from the Indonesian and Singaporean embassies and officials coordinating humanitarian aid from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) came under fire on Sunday (7 May). The incident took place in the north-eastern Shan State in Taunggyi district.

Myanmar crisis to dominate ASEAN leaders summit

The crisis in Myanmar dominates discussions at the ASEAN summit in Indonesia, with calls for an end to violence and condemnation of the junta’s actions. ASEAN’s efforts to mediate and implement a peace plan have faltered, while global condemnation grows. The worsening crisis poses a threat to ASEAN’s relevance, as other nations take the lead in resolving the situation. The summit also addresses the South China Sea dispute and East Timor’s membership in the bloc.

Rohingya team visits Myanmar in refugee return scheme

A Rohingya refugee delegation visited new facilities in Myanmar on Friday as part of a plan to repatriate the persecuted minority. Bangladesh is currently home to around one million Rohingya who fled a military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017. Both countries signed an agreement to repatriate the Rohingya later that year, but the UN has warned that conditions were not suitable for repatriation. The Rohingya are sceptical of the plan, as they fear their safety and citizenship rights will not be recognised by Myanmar authorities.