UN shelves decision on Myanmar envoy dilemma

By AFP
07 December 2021
UN shelves decision on Myanmar envoy dilemma
The United Nations headquarters building in New York City, U.S, June 8, 2021. Photo: AFP

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution Monday indefinitely postponing the international recognition of Myanmar's military junta, which would see their envoys accredited at the global forum.

A resolution, modeled on an agreement last week by the influential UN Credentials Committee that includes the United States, Russia and China, was adopted by consensus without a vote by the UN member states.

Last week, the committee recommended to "defer its decision on the credentials pertaining to the representatives of Myanmar" during the current session of the General Assembly, which ends in September 2022.

No further meetings of the nine-nation committee, chaired by Sweden, are expected in the short to medium term.

Wunna Maung Lwin, the foreign minister of Myanmar, which was rocked by a military coup on February 1, appointed on August 18 former military commander Aung Thurein.

But the envoy appointed by deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Kyaw Moe Tun, defied the junta to stay in his post and on August 21 asked the UN to keep him on.

Zaw Min Tun, Myanmar junta spokesman, said the committee's choice did not reflect the reality on the ground.