Min Aung Hlaing bemoans EAOs’ disinterest in peace overtures

By Admin 28 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
28 December 2024, Sittwe

In a message marking the 50th anniversary of Akha National Day on Saturday, junta boss Min Aung Hlaing lamented that ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) are ignoring his calls for peace talks to resolve the country’s political issues through political means.

“Some EAOs have been continuously engaged in terrorist acts, ignoring the interests of their regions and people,” the junta boss claimed.

Akha people have enjoyed socio-economic development as they followed the path paved by the government, said Min Aung Hlaing as he again attempted to convince EAOs to join peace talks.

Critics have long noted that the junta’s calls for peace are at odds with its conduct on the ground across multiple fronts in its war against those opposed to military rule. 

DMG Editor-in-Chief U Aung Marm Oo said: “The junta calls for peace talks when they’re weak, but when they’re strong, they attack. It is the tactic they have used all along the way. EAOs have lost trust in the junta’s peace offer, so they just snub the junta’s proposed talks. This has angered the junta, making them lash out.”

The junta has frequently invited EAOs to peace talks after its coup in 2021 triggered a popular armed revolt, which was later joined by EAOs. Powerful EAOs continue to fight the regime, despite the junta’s peace offer.

After losing large swaths of territory in the “Operation 1027” offensive launched by the Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the Arakkha Army (AA), in northern Shan and Arakan states, the regime sought China’s intervention, finally forcing the three-member alliance to sign a truce in January covering northern Shan State. Fighting continued, however, in Arakan State.

The truce collapsed in June due to the junta’s repeated air and artillery strikes on territories held by the Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State. China again intervened after the regime lost more towns including its Northeastern Command headquarters in Lashio, the capital of northern Shan State.

The two other members of the Brotherhood Alliance — the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), have since ceased fighting following the pressure from China. Fighting continues in other parts of the country including Arakan, Kachin, Karen and Chin states.