DILI, september 11, 2021 (TATOLI) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MoFAC), Adaljiza Albertina Xavier dos Reis Magno, has called on Myanmar’s military government to allow for an open dialogue and hold elections as soon as possible to form a transitional government to resolve the conflict.
“Since the beginning, Timor-Leste has suggested to Myanmar that it maintain peace and stability in this transitional situation. I asked the Government to hold the elections as quickly as possible. I also suggested that it allow for an open dialogue, maintaining peace and stability,” the minister told Tatoli on friday.
The official also underlined that Timor-Leste does not agree with the violations, conflicts, and crises that occur in Myanmar, but will continue to support the decision of Association of South East Asia Nation (ASEAN) member states to negotiate with the military government of Myanmar.
It is worth remembering that at the ASEAN meeting last April, member countries agreed to propose four points of consensus to Myanmar: the release of prisoners, the resolution of violence, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and dialogue with the parties involved in the conflict.
In February, Myanmar suffered a coup of the military following the National League for Democracy (NLD) Party’s victory in the 2020 general election. The military did not recognize the legitimacy of these elections.
Since then, the army has occupied the Senate and Parliament, declaring a state of emergency. Top government leaders were arrested, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.
The crisis has already caused the death of more than a thousand people and more than five thousand have been arrested.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
