Myanmar's Fragile Truce: ASEAN's Push for Peace and Aid

Myanmar's military junta and opposition agree to extend a ceasefire for humanitarian aid post-earthquake. ASEAN Chair, Malaysia's PM Anwar Ibrahim, mediates talks, aiming for peace and stabilization. Ongoing conflict and upcoming elections pose challenges to ending the crisis and ensuring effective aid distribution.

Myanmar's military junta and a key opposition group have signaled an extension of a ceasefire to facilitate much-needed aid following a devastating earthquake, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, after high-level discussions.

In March, a catastrophic 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, killing over 3,600 and sparking a humanitarian disaster. Anwar, also the ASEAN regional bloc chair, engaged with Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) to negotiate the ceasefire, essential for delivering aid amidst ongoing conflict.

Despite this truce, some military operations continue, exacerbating challenges in aid delivery. The discussions reflect ASEAN's commitment to dialogue, though concerns about legitimizing the junta persist. Analysts highlight the need for further engagement with other ethnic armed groups to achieve lasting peace.

(With inputs from agencies.)