Perpetrators must answer for attack on aid convoy: Asean leaders

LABUAN BAJO – Asean said it is deeply concerned with the ongoing violence in Myanmar, particularly an armed attack on a humanitarian convoy.

The regional bloc’s leaders in a statement urged the immediate cessation of all forms of violence and the use of force in order to create a conducive environment for the safe and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogues.

They supported Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s statement on Monday as Asean chair in response to the recent attack on a convoy of the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management and the Asean Monitoring Team in Myanmar.

“We condemned the attack and underlined that the perpetrators must be held accountable,” said the Asean leaders.

They also expressed support for Joko Widodo’s efforts, including continued engagements with all stakeholders in Myanmar, to encourage progress in the implementation of the bloc’s Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar.

Eight Asean leaders including Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today attended the 42nd Asean Summit to discuss a number of issues of common interest to the regional grouping.

Myanmar’s head of government was not invited. – Bernama, May 10, 2023