Myanmar barred from leading ASEAN in 2026

Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo opens the plenary session. Pic/AP

Southeast Asian leaders decided that Myanmar won't take over the rotating leadership of their regional bloc as scheduled in 2026, Asian diplomats and a leader said Tuesday, in the latest blow to efforts by its ruling generals to gain international recognition after violently seizing power in 2021.

Western governments led by the US have condemned the Myanmar army's ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government in 2021 and have demanded her immediate release from yearslong detention along with other officials.

The Philippines agreed to take over the regional bloc's chairmanship in 2026 at an ASEAN summit hosted by Indonesia on Tuesday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said. "It is my pleasure to announce that the Philippines is ready to take the helm and chair ASEAN in 2026," Marcos told his ASEAN counterparts in Jakarta.

Marcos did not explain why Myanmar lost the prestigious yearlong chairmanship, but diplomats said it was related to the civil strife in the country and fears that the bloc's relations with the US and EU, among others, might be undermined because of the non-recognised military government in Myanmar.

2021
Year Mayanmar army took over the country

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