Junta, Brotherhood Alliance meet in Kunming

By Admin 16 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
16 May 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime and the Brotherhood Alliance — made up of the Arakkha Army (AA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army — have been holding talks since Wednesday in China’s Kunming.

Political analysts believe the fighting in Arakan State will be on the agenda for the fifth round of China-brokered talks.

There were reports that China, the regime and the AA would meet separately to discuss the fighting in Arakan State. DMG was unable to confirm this with AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha at press time.

A military analyst said: “The regime has approached China to secure a ceasefire in Arakan State. However, the AA is fighting to gain control of the whole of Arakan State. And it is achieving good results. If the AA has to stop the fighting due to China’s intervention, it won’t be that easy for the AA to fight again. Opportunity won’t come twice. So, we will wait and see what the AA will say.”

Myanmar military’s judge advocate general Lieutenant-General Myo Thant Naing from the junta’s National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Council, AA deputy chief Dr. Nyo Twan Awng, and senior TNLA liaison officers are attending the talks.

The AA has captured nine townships in Arakan and Chin states since launching an offensive in November. But the regime has continued to conduct air raids in those townships. China is likely to pressure the AA to stop fighting to implement its special economic zone and deep-sea port project in Kyaukphyu.  

“The AA wants to have confederate status for Arakan State. I doubt the regime would yield to it. The AA won’t be satisfied with what it has gained so far in Arakan State. It wants to have the whole of Arakan State. So, I don’t think the meeting will have any result,” said another military analyst.

Also on the agenda will be the border trade with China through the border towns seized by the Brotherhood Alliance during the anti-regime Operation 1027. The Brotherhood Alliance is said to be unlikely to make any concession, and the regime will have to make compromises to secure a deal.

Political analyst U Pe Than told VOA that the meeting will not deliver results in short order as the AA is fiercely fighting the regime in Arakan State.