Myanmar Junta and Opposition Extend Ceasefire for Aid

Myanmar’s military junta and a leading opposition group have signaled willingness to extend a ceasefire to facilitate aid delivery following a devastating earthquake, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday. The announcement came after rare high-level talks involving Myanmar’s ruling generals and the shadow National Unity Government (NUG), which opposes military rule.

Myanmar has been embroiled in escalating conflict since the military, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, overthrew an elected government in 2021 and established the State Administration Council (SAC) to govern. The crisis deepened after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck in late March, killing at least 3,725 people and displacing millions already affected by civil war.

As chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Anwar held separate discussions on Thursday with Min Aung Hlaing and NUG representatives in Bangkok, seeking to de-escalate hostilities and expedite humanitarian assistance.

Ceasefire Holds Amid Skepticism

“There will be a ceasefire and no unnecessary provocations, because otherwise the whole humanitarian exercise would fail,” Anwar told reporters in Bangkok. “My initial exchange with both the SAC prime minister and NUG has been very successful.”

Following the earthquake, Myanmar’s junta declared a 20-day ceasefire on April 2, mirroring an earlier NUG pledge. However, the United Nations and other observers report ongoing military operations, including airstrikes, in some regions.

Anwar said ASEAN would continue engaging with both sides and ensure aid reaches affected areas regardless of territorial control. A NUG spokesperson acknowledged ASEAN’s role but cautioned against legitimizing the junta.

Diplomatic Moves Suggest Broader Agenda

The talks in Bangkok, which included Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her influential father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, hinted at a potential political breakthrough. Thaksin, seen as a key behind-the-scenes figure in Thai politics, has reportedly pursued back-channel diplomacy to resolve Myanmar’s conflict.

Anwar described his meeting with Min Aung Hlaing as “frank and constructive,” emphasizing urgent humanitarian needs, including deploying a field hospital. He later met with NUG representatives to discuss long-term stability.

The UN has warned that earthquake damage could worsen food shortages and public health risks in Myanmar, where over 3.5 million people have been displaced by war. ASEAN, which has largely excluded Myanmar’s junta from high-level meetings since 2021, faces renewed pressure to broker a lasting solution.

While no formal extension of the ceasefire was announced, analysts suggest the current truce could pave the way for broader peace efforts—a prospect that has eluded previous diplomatic initiatives.