Myanmar: Germany’s Heiko Maas cautions about menace of civil warfare

The army coup in Myanmar and the turmoil it triggered is threatening to result in a civil warfare within the southeast Asian nation, Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned in an interview revealed Sunday.
“No one in the region can be interested in Myanmar sinking into civil war — not even those who are not interested in saving democracy,” Maas advised the newspapers of the Funke media group.
International strain is mounting on Myanmar’s army leaders over an escalating crackdown on anti-coup protests that has left greater than 550 civilians useless.
“The military has driven Myanmar to the brink of disaster within a few weeks. Well over 500 people have already been killed, thousands are on the run,” Maas mentioned.

The German overseas minister known as on all international gamers to “increase the pressure on the regime” to carry it to the negotiating desk with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
ASEAN strain mounts on junta
Myanmar’s ASEAN neighbors sometimes chorus from criticizing their fellow members beneath a precept of non-interference.
But the rising Western strain on Myanmar’s junta and the growing violence in opposition to anti-coup protesters have prompted a number of southeast Asian overseas ministers to sentence the violence.
China, which has been reserved in its response to the coup, mentioned it helps holding a gathering with regional leaders.
“China…supports the convening of a special meeting of ASEAN leaders to mediate as soon as possible,” the Chinese authorities’s prime diplomat, Wang Yi, mentioned on Friday.

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India, which has additionally not outright rejected the coup, issued its strongest response to the escalating crackdown on demonstrations.
“We believe that the rule of law should prevail. We stand for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar,” mentioned Arindam Bagchi, India’s overseas ministry spokesman, on Friday.
Armed insurgent teams slam army violence
Ten of Myanmar’s armed ethnic insurgent teams held on-line talks on Saturday in regards to the coup, based on AFP information company, sparking considerations {that a} broader battle might erupt within the nation.
In Myanmar, some 20 ethnic armed teams management massive areas of territory, largely in border areas.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army, the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army and the Arakan Army (AA) had earlier mentioned if the junta didn’t cease the bloodshed, they might “cooperate with the protesters and fight back.”
Myanmar has lengthy been stricken by preventing between the army and ethnic minority forces. They have fought for extra autonomy since Myanmar’s independence from Britain in 1948.
What is the scenario in Myanmar?
On Sunday, protesters marked the Easter vacation by taking to the streets whereas holding painted eggs.
Images circulated on social media confirmed the eggs carried protest slogans and illustrations.
Despite the violence in opposition to protesters, they’ve organized nearly each day demonstrations for the reason that coup ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected authorities on February 1.
Demonstrators have discovered other ways to protest the coup, together with organizing rallies, basic strikes and throwing piles of rubbish in road intersections.
The demise toll within the crackdown on anti-coup protesters has risen to 557 as of late Saturday, based on watchdog the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).