Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday that it had asked the Timorese Chargé d’Affaires to leave the country ahead of September 1 due to the diplomat’s alleged connection with the Myanmar government-in-exile. Myanmar alleged that Timor-Leste’s conduct violated the
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
and undermined bilateral relations.
As is explained in the Ministry’s statement, the expulsion was because the Timor-Leste government’s association with Myanmar’s government-in-exile, the National Unity Government (NUG), which the Myanmar military regime labels a “terrorist organization” under the country’s
Counter Terrorism Law.
The Timorese government responded to the expulsion order with condemnation, reasserting its commitment to the positions advocated by the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and
United Nations
regarding the restoration of democratic governance and respect for human rights in Myanmar. The government of Timor-Leste, according to
an official statement, stands firm that dialogue and respect for the people’s will are imperative in creating a peaceful and long-term solution to the crisis in Myanmar.
Since the violent military coup in February 2021, a series of international sanctions and widespread condemnation have led to significant diplomatic challenges for the military regime ruling Myanmar. The coup has reportedly
displaced some 1.5 million people, triggering
a significant humanitarian crisis.