NEW YORK: The UN Special Ambassador for Myanmar will leave office in June, a spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General told AFP Wednesday, following an 18-month term in which she was criticized by the military rulers and its opposition.
UN Special Envoy for Myanmar
Myanmar has been in unrest since the Army seized power in Feb 2021, ending a brief democratic period and sparking a fight with ethnic rebels and anti-dictatorship fighters.
Diplomatic efforts led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the UN to overcome the crisis have so far failed to stalk the violence unchecked by the military coup.
Stephane Dujarric says the UN Special Envoy for Myanmar will conclude her assignment on 12th June when her contract ends.
The spokesperson said that the UN chief is thankful to the UN Special Envoy for Myanmar for her efforts, saying a new Ambassador would be appointed soon.
The outgoing envoy Heyzer is Singaporean sociologist. She was tasked with convincing the Myanmar military government to engage in political talks with its opposition and end a deadly crackdown it started following the toppling of Aung San Suu Kyi’s government.
The envoy visited Myanmar last August and also met the junta chief and other top army officials in a move criticized by human rights groups as lending legality to the military generals.
However, the envoy was denied a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi and later annoyed junta officials who accused the Ambassador of issuing a partial statement.
The UN Special Envoy later promised not to visit Myanmar again unless she was permitted to meet Suu Kyi.
