NCA signatories’ peace team looks to hold inclusive dialogue

By DMG 27 Aug 2022

DMG Newsroom
27 August 2022, Sittwe

The Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) of the ethnic armed organisations that have signed Myanmar’s Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) has vowed to organise an all-inclusive dialogue aimed at paving the way for establishing a Union based on democracy and federalism.

PPST spokesman Saw Kyaw Nyunt claimed that the PPST would make sure all stakeholders are involved.

“Though we can’t reach that stage for the time being, we will make efforts based on the basic principles based on three key provisions of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement,” said Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in April invited the leaders of ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) to join face-to-face talks with him. Ten EAOs, including seven signatories to the NCA and three non-signatories, agreed to participate and have held separate meetings with the regime leader.

As a second step, Min Aung Hlaing proposed meeting three EAOs together. Currently, the Arakan Liberation Party, the Pa-O National Liberation Organization and the Lahu Democratic Union are holding their second round of talks with the regime.

The New Mon State Party, Democratic Karen Benevolent Army and the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army are due to meet the junta chief thereafter, but a date has not yet been set, according to the PPST.

“It is a must for us to establish a Union based on democracy and federalism. Only then will we be able to leave a legacy of eternal peace for our future generations,” said Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt.

Nearly 19 months after the coup, resistance to Myanmar’s military regime remains strong in many parts of the country. Certain EAOs like the Karen National Union, an NCA signatory, and non-signatories including the Kachin Independence Army are actively fighting the regime alongside dozens of anti-junta People’s Defence Forces that were formed following the coup.