United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Myanmar’s military rulers to immediately end the “deplorable” violence that has gripped the country since the 2021 coup and to establish a credible path back to civilian government.

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur Monday( October 27), Guterres said the military takeover had “piled calamity upon calamity” on the people of Myanmar and posed a threat to regional stability. He urged the junta to engage in inclusive dialogue and restore democratic institutions grounded in the rule of law and human rights.

“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,” Guterres said, as reported by Reuters.

Since seizing power from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, Myanmar’s military regime has faced widespread resistance from pro-democracy forces and ethnic armed groups, leading to an escalating civil conflict.

The junta has announced plans to hold a general election later this year, despite ongoing fighting and international skepticism over its credibility. Many opposition parties have been dissolved, while rebel groups and the shadow National Unity Government have rejected participation, viewing the process as a means for the military to entrench its control.

“The way forward must lead to a restoration of democratic institutions anchored in the rule of law and human rights,” Guterres said, expressing doubts about the prospect of free and fair elections under current conditions.

He also voiced support for the five-point peace plan proposed by ASEAN in 2021, which calls for an end to hostilities and the start of inclusive dialogue — a plan the Myanmar military has largely ignored.

“It’s time to open humanitarian channels, end the violence, and facilitate a comprehensive political solution,” Guterres said. “The people of Myanmar are counting on our collective support.”

(Source: Reuters / Arab News, October 27, 2025)

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