Myanmar’s coup leader-turned-president wins back neighbours despite war

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing is regaining diplomatic access in Southeast Asia despite the country’s ongoing civil war and continued attacks on civilians. The article says Malaysia hosted him in Kuala Lumpur in September and again last week, where he received an official welcome, and that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim discussed Myanmar taking back its nationals and supporting the country’s return to ASEAN engagement.

The piece places the visits in the context of Myanmar’s post-coup conflict, now in its fifth year, with large-scale displacement and persistent fighting in several regions. It notes that ASEAN has previously limited Min Aung Hlaing’s participation because the junta has not carried out the bloc’s peace plan, known as the Five Point Consensus. Malaysia is now the fifth ASEAN country to host him since he became president earlier this year, after earlier trips to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Al Jazeera also says his outreach is not limited to Southeast Asia, with recent visits to India, China, Russia and Belarus, and reported direct talks with the United States over issues including scam centres. Analysts quoted in the article argue that neighbouring governments are prioritizing border security, trade and migration concerns over human rights, while critics say the diplomatic rehabilitation could strengthen the military without changing its conduct.

The report underscores that fighting has continued even as talks and visits expand, including airstrikes in civilian areas and attempts by the military to reclaim territory from rebel groups. It also highlights concern over proposals to repatriate Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, where citizenship rights remain disputed and conditions in their home areas are uncertain.