Dili closes doors to Myanmar opposition (for ASEAN membership)

In a clear change of direction, the East Timorese government has assured Myanmar's military regime that it will no longer allow opposition groups to engage in political activities or have an office on its territory. This move contradicts President José Ramos-Horta's previously announced positions and Timor-Leste's image as a country that defends human rights. It appears, however, to serve the strategic objective of full membership in the regional body, scheduled for October.

Dili (AsiaNews) – Timor-Leste has assured Myanmar's military regime that it will no longer allow Myanmar opposition groups to engage in political activities or open offices on its territory.

The diplomatic breakthrough came during a two-day visit to Naypyitaw by Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas.

According to a statement by Myanmar’s military junta, the East Timorese minister told his Myanmar counterpart Than Swe that Dili would not allow "illegal organisations" to operate against the Myanmar government.

During their talks, the two reaffirmed their commitment to upholding ASEAN principles, particularly non-interference in the internal affairs of member states. Timor-Leste also proposed opening a Myanmar embassy in Dili.

The decision represents an abrupt change of direction for a country that until a few months ago had been among the staunchest supporters of Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG), the country’s parallel government that has operated in exile since the 2021 military coup that sparked a brutal civil war.

Timor-Leste hosted a NUG liaison office and officially invited its representatives to the swearing-in of the new East Timorese government in July 2023.

Addressing the UN, East Timorese President José Ramos-Horta spoke out against the international community's passivity regarding the crisis in Myanmar, asking why the people of Myanmar were not receiving the same support as Ukraine.

According to some analysts, this about-face is linked to Dili's strategic priority: achieving full membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Last May, the bloc's summit had given the green light to Timor-Leste's accession, with the goal of completing the process by October.

The opposition by Myanmar’s junta, which accuses Dili of violating the principle of non-interference, however, hindered the decision.

For this reason, despite Ramos-Horta calling the junta's objection "irrelevant and insignificant," Timor-Leste’s government now appears bent on avoiding friction and adapting to the unwritten rules of regional diplomacy, known as the “ASEAN Way”.

This diplomatic approach prioritises discreet dialogue, compromise, and the principle of "saving face" over more explicit statements, so as to ensure cohesion between countries with very different histories and political systems. Still, it has also shown its limitations in the face of crises in Myanmar, most notably that of Rohingya refugees and the military coup.

Dili, which had built its international image on the defence of human rights, now appears inclined to prioritise realpolitik to secure a full seat at the regional table.

• timor-leste
• myanmar
• asean
• national unity government
• nug
• civil war
• about-face
• realpolitik