Junta chief’s proposed peace dialogue fails to impress critics

By DMG 23 Apr 2022

DMG Newsroom
23 April 2022, Sittwe 

Political observers have said the Myanmar junta leader’s recent proposal for face-to-face peace talks with the country’s established ethnic armed groups rings hollow.

On Friday, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing invited the leaders of ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) for dialogue amid near-daily clashes between junta troops and resistance groups collectively known as the People’s Defence Force (PDF), which operates as the armed wing of the anti-regime National Unity Government.

Political analyst U Than Soe Naing said Min Aung Hlaing’s peace talks offer was made because the regime does not want to be at war with EAOs while it is under increasing attacks from PDF groups.

“In the mainland, PDF and regime troops are clashing almost everywhere. Under such circumstances, the peace talks to be organised by Min Aung Hlaing are just a sham, and will not bear any fruit of peace in reality,” said U Than Soe Naing.

Min Aung Hlaing has called for dialogue out of fear that EAOs might cooperate with the NUG, said U Than Soe Naing. Only the less powerful EAOs are likely to attend the proposed peace talks, he added.

In a televised address that aired Friday, the junta chief said he had designated 2022 as “the year of peace.” 

“We all will join hands together in holding talks honestly and transparently to enable all ethnic people to enjoy the essence of peace and development,” he added, according to an English-language translation of the speech published in state media.

“I will meet all the groups personally. Then, members of the State Administration Council will also hold talks. We will make further discussions if necessary,” said Min Aung Hlaing.

He urged the leaders and two members each from all EAOs to attend the dialogue, and asked them to send a list of prospective attendees to Naypyidaw by May 9.

Veteran Arakense politician U Pe Than was not impressed by the regime’s latest overture to Myanmar’s EAOs. 

“Numerous peace talks were held over the past 70 years, and there was no result. By proposing peace talks, the regime has publicly revealed that it is weakening,” he said.

Some EAOs have welcomed the regime’s peace talks offer, however.

“We should welcome the invitation to peace talks,” said the vice chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party, Saw Mra Yarzar Lin. “Traditionally, the ALP holds internal meetings to decide whether or not to attend meetings when invited. We will also hold an internal meeting regarding the peace talk offer. It is likely that we will attend the meeting.”

DMG was unable to reach Arakan Army (AA) spokesman Khaing Thukha to ask whether or not the armed group would attend a dialogue with the junta chief. 

A source close to the United League of Arakan, the political wing of the Arakan Army, said: “I still don’t know how the AA will respond to the regime’s offer for peace talks, because our group can’t make a decision alone. I think we will have to discuss with the FPNCC [Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee] and the Three Brotherhood Alliance.”