Government offers to negotiate ceasefire with Northern Alliance members

By Aung Htein 06 Jan 2021

Aung Htein | DMG
6 January 2021, Sittwe

The government has offered to meet with the four Northern Alliance members, including the Arakan Army (AA), in hopes of reaching a ceasefire agreement as soon as this month, according to U Lamai Gun Jar, a member of the Peace-talk Creation Group.

The government sent a draft ceasefire agreement to the four members of the Northern Alliance on December 16, proposing a meeting in Myitkyina, Kachin State, and/or Kengtung, Shan State, but the northern group has not responded, he added.

“I have submitted a letter sent by the government to the four Northern Alliance members asking for a ceasefire. For now, there is no reply from the Northern Alliance on when or where they will meet,” he said.

The peace negotiator continued that the four Northern Alliance groups would respond to talks with the government later this month, as Christmas was celebrated in December and there were not enough leaders available from the respective armed organisations.

DMG contacted Maj. Mai Aik Kyaw, a spokesperson for the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), for comment on the government’s proposed peace talks, but he could not be reached.

The government offer to hold peace talks with the Northern Alliance members was a good sign, said U Pe Than, the Lower House lawmaker for Myebon Township, while adding that it would take time to sign a comprehensive ceasefire.

“The Arakan Army must first be removed as a terrorist group in order for a ceasefire to be signed between the Tatmadaw and the ethnic armed group,” the MP said. “In addition, both sides need to agree on the deployment of troops, which could lead to tensions between the AA and the Tatmadaw. There are situations that can get complicated. It is good to meet like this. But I think we have to go through hardships with patience and time.”

The Tatmadaw must present the results of its talks with the Arakan Army to the government in order for the ethnic armed group to have its designation as a terrorist organisation rescinded, according to Dr. Myo Nyunt, a spokesman for the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD).

The government declared the Arakan Army to be an unlawful association and terrorist group on March 23 of last year.

On November 25, the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army held online talks, and on December 9 representatives of the two sides met in Panghsang, a border town in Shan State controlled by the United Wa State Army.

Negotiations between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army are being viewed as boding well for peace prospects in Arakan State, with lawmakers and political observers urging a tripartite dialogue to achieve a lasting ceasefire.