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The Australian government has publicly marked a five-year anniversary since the Myanmar military overthrew the democratically elected government.
Myanmar has been plagued by civil war for decades, with the latest fighting intensifying after a military coup on 1 February 2021.
In addition, nearly one quarter of Myanmar’s population now faces high levels of acute food insecurity, while more than one-third is in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, according to the United Nations.
Myanmar’s economy has lost nearly $100 billion since the coup, with the gross domestic product not expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels for years.
“In 2026, an estimated 16.2 million people will require lifesaving humanitarian assistance, and over 3.6 million people are internally displaced due to ongoing conflict. The economy has contracted significantly, and transnational and serious organised crime has flourished, threatening regional stability,” according to a statement from Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong.
“Recent regime elections were held amid ongoing violence and repression, and without meaningful participation from opposition parties. They did not meet the conditions for free, fair and inclusive elections.
“Australia has consistently condemned the regime’s brutal and ongoing atrocities against the people of Myanmar, and we will continue to judge the Myanmar military by its actions. We continue to support ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus as the framework for addressing the situation in Myanmar and urge for its full implementation.
“We look to the incoming Myanmar authorities to put in place measures that reflect the Five-Point Consensus, including the cessation of violence against civilians; safe and unhindered access to humanitarian support, without discrimination, for all those in need; and a commitment to genuine and inclusive dialogue amongst all stakeholders. We continue to call for the release of all those unjustly detained.
“Australia is ready to support genuine efforts to alleviate humanitarian suffering, improve economic and social conditions and advance a sustainable resolution to the ongoing crisis.
“We stand with the people of Myanmar, and share their ambitions for a better future.”
The country has recently held a three-phased election, imposed and controlled by the military, resulting in election victory for the military party, while the main opposition National League for Democracy was barred from participating.
Votes were reportedly confined to urban areas under military control with large swathes of conflict-affected regions excluded, according to the United Nations.
The people of Myanmar continue to suffer amid widespread violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, according to statements from a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
“The suffering of the people of Myanmar has deepened … (The Secretary-General is) deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating situation.”
Open sources have reportedly documented 408 military air attacks, which killed at least 170 civilians during the election period.
