Myanmar Says ASEAN Applies Discriminatory Measures After Summit Exclusion
Myanmar officials stated on May 11, 2026 that discriminatory measures are preventing the country from participating in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The 11-country bloc has excluded Myanmar's post-coup leadership from summits since the 2021 military takeover. The junta held a restricted election last month that installed the military chief as president.
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theverge.comMyanmar stated on Monday that "discriminatory measures" are shutting the country out of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations after last week's summit continued the organization's exclusion of the country's post-coup leadership. The 11-country bloc has barred Myanmar from summits since its military deposed the elected government in 2021.
That action triggered a civil war that has continued through five years of martial rule. The junta staged a tightly restricted election last month that excluded the party of the deposed leader. The vote resulted in the military chief taking over as president.
The Association of Southeast Asian
Nations has maintained the blacklist on Myanmar's leadership since the 2021 coup. Officials from Myanmar raised the complaint following the 48th ASEAN summit held in the Philippines. The statement from Myanmar described the continued exclusion as discriminatory. The country has been isolated within the regional bloc throughout the period of military rule and civil conflict.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- May 11, 2026
Myanmar states discriminatory measures are shutting it out of ASEAN.
1 sourceJapan Times - May 2026
ASEAN holds 48th summit in Philippines and continues Myanmar exclusion.
1 sourceJapan Times - April 2026
Myanmar junta holds restricted election installing military chief as president.
1 sourceJapan Times - 2021
Myanmar military launches coup, deposing elected government and triggering civil war.
1 sourceJapan Times
Potential Impact
- 01
The civil war that began in 2021 shows no sign of resolution.
- 02
ASEAN maintains its policy of not including Myanmar's post-coup leadership.
- 03
Myanmar remains excluded from ASEAN summit meetings.
- 04
Continued isolation may limit Myanmar's role in regional diplomacy.
Transparency Panel
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