Myanmar junta responsible for crisis: Jakarta

Myanmar's military government is responsible for a lack of progress on a peace plan agreed with Asean, Indonesia's foreign minister said yesterday, adding the regional bloc has done its part in trying to end hostilities in the strife-torn country.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has urged Myanmar to implement a peace plan agreed last year to halt a spiral of violence that has gripped the country since the military overthrew an elected government in Feb. 2021.

The plan, agreed about 18 months ago, includes engaging in constructive dialogue, and access for humanitarian aid and a special Asean envoy.

Retno Marsudi, foreign minister of Indonesia, which is due to chair the regional bloc next year, told Reuters that blame for a lack of progress lies with the junta.

"The criticisms shouldn't be aimed at Asean. They should be aimed at the junta," she said in an interview.

"If we're talking about who's to blame, who's failed, it's not us, it's not ASEAN. We did our part."

Asean has a long-standing policy of non-interference in its 10 member states' sovereign affairs, but has faced calls from activists to step up pressure on the junta.