Ethnic leader urges patience, restraint as peace process enters crucial stage
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The government, the military and armed ethnic groups must collaborate to overcome any obstacle to the country's ongoing peace process, said Dr Salai Lian Hmung, a member of the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT).
He urged all sides to show restraint.
“If one party makes a mistake, it should correct it immediately. It is my belief that we all need to do our best for the sake of our country or union. It is important for both the UNFC and the military not be aggressive,” he said on September 20.
“After 60 years of armed conflict our country is at a critical point. I want to urge all sides to continue to try to achieve peace with great patience,” he added.
He also reiterated that only a few points needed to be ironed out for the draft text of a nationwide ceasefire accord to be completed. The meeting between the government’s Union Peacemaking Work Committee and NCCT, which begins today, could result in a final draft ceasefire that can be agreed upon by all sides, he suggested.
Last week, political parties convened on the draft text framework. The meeting was organised by the Nationalities Brotherhood Federation (NBF), the Federal Democracy Alliance (FDA), the National Unity Party (NUP) and the Myanmar Farmers Development Party (MFDP). But the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), and the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) did not attend.
The work committee for drawing up a single text for a framework for political dialogue was formed with the approval of 52 parties. A framework meeting is expected to be held within 60 days after the deal is signed, while the political dialogue will be held within 90 days.
