Ex-UN chief Ban makes surprise visit to Myanmar
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has made a surprise visit to military-run Myanmar on behalf of a group of elder statesmen that engages in peacemaking and human rights initiatives around the world, local media and a South Korean diplomat have said. State television MRTV reported on Monday night that Ban, deputy chair of The Elders, met in the capital, Naypyitaw, with top leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. It said they exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar in a friendly, positive and open discussion. It did not report details of the meeting, which it said was also attended by the ministers of defense and foreign affairs. It said Ban arrived with a small delegation on Sunday and was greeted by the deputy ministers of defense and foreign affairs. It said Ban's party departed on Monday after the meetings. The visit by Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister, appeared certain to have focused on Myanmar's ongoing political crisis. “This visit by Mr. Ban Ki-moon was totally scheduled by The Elders. We are not engaged in this process,” said a South Korean Embassy official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. “This is not the official visit." The Elders was founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007 and comprises mostly retired world leaders. The group did not immediately release any details about Ban’s visit. The military government’s spokesperson, Major General Zaw Min Tun, told the BBC Burmese-language service that Ban separately met with former President Thein Sein. BBC reported that he did not meet Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been imprisoned since her elected government was ousted by the army in February 2021. Ban had met with then-President Thein Sein and with Suu Kyi when he was UN chief between 2007 and 2016. Myanmar has been wracked by violent unrest since the army ousted Suu Kyi's elected government. The takeover prevented Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party from beginning a second term in office. The army's seizure of power was met with public opposition which was quashed by security forces. Outside efforts to mediate peace have been met with no success, even from parties such as the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (AP)