The situation in Myanmar continues to cause consternation among ASEAN bloc countries as years of violence under the military junta drag on and its promise of free and fair elections rings hollower than ever. 

Speaking of the situation to reporters on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the ongoing violence in Myanmar “deplorable,” saying the country’s behavior threatened regional stability.

Guterres said the junta had “piled calamity upon calamity” on the country’s people since seizing power in a 2021 military coup, adding, “I reiterate my call for an immediate end to the violence, a genuine commitment to inclusive dialogue and a credible path back to civilian rule.” 

Despite civil war, the junta has promised a return to democratic rule with elections by the end of the year, but the vote has already seen opposition parties banned, rebel groups and a shadow government boycotting, and military leadership acknowledging that voting will not take place in some parts of the country. 

Diplomatic sources within the ASEAN bloc also told news agency AFP on Monday that election observers will not be sent to Myanmar in December, denying the junta international legitimacy.

On Sunday, ASEAN leaders voiced “deep concern” over the violence gripping Myanmar and warned of “a lack of substantive progress” towards peace.

“The cessation of violence and inclusive political dialogue must precede elections,” the bloc added in a statement.

UN special rapporteur Tom Andrews had previously urged ASEAN not to “legitimize the junta’s charade” by sending monitors, warning that to recognize the “fraudulent election would be to move Myanmar backward and defend the indefensible.”

Although Myanmar remains a member of ASEAN its junta leaders have been barred from the bloc’s meetings since the coup.