WASHINGTON, Aug 17: U.S. officials held a virtual meeting with leaders of Myanmar’s opposition movement, announcing plans to significantly boost support for the country’s transition to civilian governance. The State Department emphasized the need for ongoing pressure on Myanmar’s military junta.The U.S. delegation, which included State Department Counselor Tom Sullivan and USAID Assistant Administrator Michael Schiffer, engaged with prominent members of Myanmar’s pro-democracy National Unity Government, the National Unity Consultative Council, and key resistance groups, such as the Karen National Union, Karenni National Progressive Party, and Chin National Front.
Myanmar’s state media reported that China has pledged technical support for a census and subsequent elections, signaling Beijing’s endorsement of the military junta as it faces increasing challenges from armed opposition groups.
Since the military coup in 2021, which dismantled the elected civilian government and disrupted Myanmar’s fragile democratic progress, the country has been engulfed in turmoil. During Friday’s meeting, U.S. officials and opposition leaders stressed the importance of continued pressure on the military regime and committed to working with international partners, including the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to resolve the crisis.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the situation in Myanmar as “worrying” and proposed that neighboring countries foster cooperation to create conditions conducive to peace and stability.