UNFC calls on public to support federal union

Support from Myanmar’s majority ethnic Bamar is critical to achieve a “genuine” federal union, according to the chairperson of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC).

UNFC chairperson General Inban La was addressing a coalition of ethnic armed groups who assembled in Law Khee Lar, Kayin State last Thursday, to discuss the framework for a nationwide ceasefire.

“Our desired genuine federal union is possible if the Bamar people support it. If not, it will never happen. So we need to struggle ahead,” said General Inban La, who is also the deputy chairperson of the Kachin Independence Organisation. 

“Successive governments have had the same attitude towards our ethnic peoples and nothing has changed. They have treated us as rebels and insurgents. They want a ceasefire, but have not engaged us in political dialogue. We need to push for political dialogue … but the people must be on our side,” said Inban La.

He noted that the public had not given enough support to ethnic groups over the last 60 years. He said that ethnic groups must be united, as they were in Vietnam’s fight against the United States.

“We are not bold enough when making demands on the government … We must be bold and say what we want clearly. If not we will face more losses in the future,” Inban La added.

The Kachin leader urged for unity among ethnic groups during such a critical time. The process of amending Myanmar’s military-drafted Constitution begins at the end of this month, with all eyes on article 59f which, if changed, could pave the way for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be president after the late 2015 election.

Meanwhile, the ethnic leaders at the Law Khee Lar conference told Eleven Media that once the nationwide ceasefire is reached between the government and armed ethnic groups, it will be submitted to Parliament to confirm the government’s guarantees are included in the agreement.

Although a ceasefire agreement is likely to be signed during the time of the incumbent government, implementation of the guarantees attached to the agreement will be the responsibility of the next government. Parliament’s confirmation was therefore very important, they said.

“The ceasefire agreement will be submitted to Parliament. When Parliament signs it into law, the new government will become responsible for [guarantees in] the agreement,” Col. Khun Okkar, joint secretary of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) told Eleven Media.

“In our draft for the nationwide ceasefire, some clauses have been included to make sure there are guarantees. For example, our agreement will be sent to Parliament to get approval. We will sign the ceasefire inclusive of such clauses so that it is legally enforceable,” said Khun Myint Tun, chairperson of the Pa-O National Liberation Organisation.

Although it is not clear what stage the ceasefire implementation will be at when the next government takes office, there should be plans for its continuity, said Khu Oo Ral, vice-chairperson of the Karenni National Progressive Party.

“We must take into consideration what stage we will have reached before the next government is sworn in. If the next government is similar to the current one, there is the potential to work together for the ceasefire. If not, the current outline for the ceasefire will need to change,” said Khu Oo Ral.

Colonel Khun Okkar said that the government would assume responsibility for submitting a signed ceasefire draft to Parliament. Before Parliament approves it, he added, there were no plans for ethnic leaders to discuss it in Parliament.

“The government has the authority to submit the ceasefire draft despite both sides agreeing to sign it. Our purpose for submitting it to Parliament is to seek an approval that can give us a guarantee. Work committees will implement this ceasefire agreement through joint leadership. It is not suitable for us to enter Parliament until a provision is enacted,” said Khun Okkar.

“If Parliament does not accept us, it means that it does not accept its government. The government was involved in the signing of the ceasefire. Parliament has many forces: Tatmadaw [armed forces], political parties and the NLD opposition. If the Tatmadaw signs the agreement, Parliament won’t object to it. If the government signs it, party candidates under it won’t object to it. If the ethnic groups sign it, their MPs won’t object to it. The fewer the objections, the more likely that Parliament will approve it.”