Myanmar in Peril: UN Envoy Warns of 'Path to Self-Destruction'

UN Demands End to Myanmar Violence as Junta’s Election Plans Risk Further Instability

Jay Jackson
12 Jun 2025, 13:43 GMT+10

Myanmar in Peril: UN Envoy Warns of 'Path to Self-Destruction'

Nearly three months after a catastrophic earthquake struck Myanmar, the country continues to grapple with its aftermath alongside the brutal civil war.
Without an end to the violence UN Envoy Julie Bishop said Myanmar would continue on “the path to self-destruction.”
With up to 80 per cent living in poverty, the situation of the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority in both Myanmar and Bangladesh remains dire.

Nearly three months after a devastating earthquake struck Myanmar, the country remains trapped in a deepening crisis, compounded by a brutal civil war that has raged since the 2021 military coup.

UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop briefed the General Assembly this week, warning that violence continues unabated despite thousands of deaths and injuries. "Without a ceasefire, de-escalation, and a focus on the people's needs, there can be no lasting peace," Bishop said.

Survivors among the ruins of homes, hospitals, and schools have pleaded for an end to the fighting, the former Australian foreign minister reported. However, ongoing clashes have severely hindered aid and reconstruction efforts. While some factions have declared ceasefires, they have largely been ignored.

Bishop also condemned the military junta's planned elections, warning they would only fuel further resistance and instability. With key political leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, still detained, she called for their immediate release.

Meanwhile, the Rohingya minority faces escalating hardship, with forced recruitment, dwindling aid, and food ration cuts in refugee camps. Bishop urged a sustainable solution addressing the root causes of Myanmar's conflicts.