Peace couldn't be built in one day: UNA leader

 

Khun Htun Oo, the chairman of the Shan National League democracy (SNLD)  and a member of the UNA, chaired a meting in Yangon on February 17. The meeting took place as the fighting in Kokang region escalated, adding complication into the attempts to reach a nationwide ceasefire accord.

“We would like to explain about the cases happened on Union Day. We unexpectedly knew about the peace and national reconciliation and so we didn’t sign that pledge. We didn’t have time to discuss that matter among us and we didn’t have the decision of the central committee. Therefore, nearly all of UNA members didn’t assign that pledge. Another thing is that, peace and national reconciliation couldn’t be built immediately. We will cooperate to overcome that barrier,” said Khun Htun Oo.

Aye Thar Aung from the Arakan National Party also said that the aim of the Union Day signing on ceasefire and implementing the internal peace is excellent. But, it needs to practice systematically.

“Before signing that pledge, discussions to get pledges on politically, militarily needed first. It isn’t easy to stop civil war without the true essence of federal system. Therefore, we support for those working with sincere good will,” said Aye Thar Aung.

The government, 55 political parties and 4 ethnic armed forces signed the Union Day pledge, committing themselves to achieve the ceasefire deal, peace and national reconciliation.

In a related development, Padoh Saw Ta Mu La from the Karen National Union (KNU) noted that the Wa and Mongla ethnic groups have different views on the ceasefire accord. He admitted that the different views would pose a big challenge in achieving the deal.

 “We understand that all members of Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) will sign the accord. However, the Wa and Mongla regions have different views. They have had more than 26 years to get involved in the accord. They said the accord was a political joke. Such views on the accord are big challenges. However, we will sign it willingly,” he said.

The most recent scheduled meeting between the government and NCCT to discuss the ceasefire deal was delayed due to disputes that took place at the last meeting in September 2014. 

Establishing a framework for political dialogue, holding national-level political discussions and signing a Union Peace Agreement to be approved by the parliament are expected to be the points of discussion after the accord is signed. 

Officials from the Myanmar Peace Centre said on January 17 that the number of ethnic armed groups, plus the parliament, government and the military, are the reason the peace process has been delayed. 

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) and National Democratic Alliance Army – Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS) did not sign the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement on February 12. The UWSA and NDAA-ESS have historically not participated in the nationwide ceasefire process. 

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) released a statement saying it would continue cooperating with the NCCT until the peace process is complete. 

However, the recent clashes in Laukkaing involving the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and by Ta’ang National Liberation Army (which is an NCCT member) and the Arakan Army (AA) pose as obstacles to the NCA. The AA and MNDAA are not regarded as the negotiating parties by the government. 

The government regards sixteen armed groups as legitimate parties to the NCA process. Five non-negotiate members also involved in the peace process. 

The KNU, the Restoration Council of Shan State/ Shan State Army, the KNU/ Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council and the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army signed the Agreement on Peace and National Reconciliation on Union Day, February 12.