Ceasefire optimism rises

 

The invitations were sent out while negotiators from the Union government and armed ethnic groups were ironing out the final details of a nationwide ceasefire agreement at a series of meetings that began on September 22. 

Tun Tun Hein, a member of the executive committee of National League for Democracy party, said the NLD had been invited and it would attend. He said the invitation letter provided little information about the agenda for the talks.

Zo Zam, chairman of the Chin National Democracy Party, hinted that the meeting might discuss the final draft of the nationwide ceasefire agreement. He described the talks that began on September 22 as “exciting” and said they were progressing better than expected. “In my opinion, we were expected to fail, but we have overcome many obstacles,” Zo Zam said.

“There is no turning back now,” he said, adding that it was negotiators from the Union Peace-making Work Committee who suggested a second meeting with representatives of political parties should be held. Representatives of political parties were invited to a meeting with Union and ethnic peace negotiators for the first time on August 18.

The meeting focused on issues related to local peace, attendees said.

Negotiators from the Union government and armed ethnic groups have committed to holding a meeting to iron out a framework for political dialogue between the two sides within 60 days of signing a nationwide ceasefire agreement. The political dialogue – expected to focus on federalism and resource-sharing agreements – is scheduled to begin within 90 days of the signing of the ceasefire and to proceed within the agreed upon framework.

Prior to the meetings that began on September 22, representatives from both sides expressed optimism that they would agree upon a final draft of the nationwide ceasefire agreement, which some have described as a vital – but far from final – step to ending the 60 years of civil war that has plagued Myanmar’s independence.