Invitation to peace talks is a positive development, AA sees

By Khaing Roe La 19 Mar 2019

Khaing Roe La/DMG
March 19, Sittwe

The Arakan Army sees an invitation by the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) to eight non-signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) is a step in the right direction.

“We can say that it is a positive situation, that meeting each other is far, far better than not meeting at all,” the AA’s information officer Khiang Thukha told the DMG.

The delegation of the AA led by Colonel Kyaw Han will join the peace talks to be held on March 21 in Nay Pyi Taw. Eight ethnic armed groups including the Arakan Army will meet with the NRPC.

The DMG asked the AA what they hope the peace talks will result in, Khaing Thukha said: “We will the know the outcome after the discussions are held.”

The new talks are arranged for after the meeting of the NRPC and four Northern Alliance armed groups on February 25 which finished without coming to any agreements and all of them said they will submit messages to their seniors.

The United Wa State Party (UWSP), Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP), United League of Arakan (ULA), Eastern Shan State Peace and Solidarity Committee (PSC), Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party (MNTJP), Palaung State Liberation Front ( PSLF) and Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) are invited and all groups will attend the peace talk.

Since the ongoing conflict between the Tatmadaw and AA has been intensifying, Rakhine CSOs and politicians urged the union government to take part in solving the conflict through a political approach.