Myanmar's military ruler, Min Aung Hlaing, has pledged new multiparty elections and stated that his government is willing to engage with any ASEAN special envoy appointed by the ASEAN (ASEAN).

Six months after the army seized control from a civilian administration following elections won by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling party, he spoke in a televised address. The elections were not scheduled according to a schedule.

Min Aung Hlaing stated, "I guarantee the establishment of a union based on democracy and federalism."

“Myanmar is ready to work on ASEAN cooperation within the ASEAN framework, including dialogue with the ASEAN special envoy in Myanmar,” said the statement.

On Monday, Asean foreign ministers will meet to finalize a special envoy tasked with halting violence and supporting dialogue between the junta and its opponents, according to diplomats.

The junta and Asean reached a five-point “consensus” in April, which included a stop to violence, political negotiations, and the appointment of a regional special envoy.

Myanmar has been in chaos for six months since the military toppled Aung San Suu Kyi's administration, thus ending the country's decade-long democratic experiment.

The junta has solidified its position following a bloody assault on street protests, which have continued in sporadic form despite the violence that has claimed the lives of nearly 1,000 people.

The junta annulled the results of the 2020 elections in late July, claiming more than 11 million cases of voter fraud.

Human Rights Watch Asia director Brad Adams stated, "Myanmar's junta has responded to massive popular opposition to the coup with killings, torture, and arbitrary detention of people who simply want last year's election results respected and a government that reflects the popular will."

“These attacks on civilians are crimes against humanity, and those responsible should be held accountable.”

Tens of thousands of federal servants and other workers have been fired or are still on strike in support of a statewide civil disobedience campaign, adding to the disarray in the country.

Due to a work boycott by pro-democracy medical professionals, a coronavirus outbreak has overloaded the healthcare system, leaving many hospitals empty.

In June, the United Nations General Assembly voted a rare resolution condemning the coup and calling for the country's democratic process to be restored.