International community hails draft peace deal

 

“Although we realise that challenges and concerns remain, having reached this far bears testimony to the political courage and commitment of all sides to resolve grievances through dialogue rather than armed  conflict,” said the European Union in a statement released on April 1.

“We hope to welcome the signing of the National Ceasefire Accord in the coming weeks, and to see the start of inclusive work on a Joint Framework for Political Dialogue. The EU stands ready to continue supporting all parties towards reaching their common goal of ending decades of armed conflict and provide the foundation for a better future for all people in Myanmar.”

The UN, which has acted as an observer to months of peace negotiations, said the tentative deal was a "milestone" for the former junta-run nation, which has grappled with some of the world's longest-running civil wars.

"For the government of Myanmar and 16 Ethnic Armed Groups to reach a ceasefire agreement after more than sixty years of conflict is a historic and significant achievement," it said in a statement on behalf of UN Special Adviser Vijay Nambiar. 

But the statement added that there remain "many concerns and difficulties" on the ground.

The US Embassy in Yangon said in a statement that a full "nationwide ceasefire agreement would mark a potentially historic step towards achieving peace and national reconciliation".

On March 31, the draft was finalised. President Thein Sein made surprise appearance at the Myanmar Peace Centre, where the negotiation took place, on the day. 

"The people need peace, they desire peace and they expect peace," Thein Sein told representatives of 16 major ethnic minority armed groups at a signing ceremony for the draft, adding that a full agreement could be inked in months.

"After that is signed, the road is open for political dialogue. This action will ensure the peace builders a place in Myanmar's history," he said at the gathering.

The agreement is considered to be a milestone for the Myanmar peace process. 

But the full agreement can only be officially signed after further consultation and a conference of the ethnic armed groups, for which no date has so far been set.

Negotiators said some of the more contentious points had been excised from the agreement, in a move likely to have enabled the draft to be accepted. 

In the joint statement by the government’s Union Peace Working Committee (UPWC) and the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT), both parties vowed to reduce conflicts that are hindering the peace process. The statement also said they will cooperate in holding peace dialogue and implementing the peace processes.

“The Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) plays an important role in stopping armed conflicts that have taken place for such a long time in Myanmar. The NCA has more value than an agreement. The NCA is the beginning point for building a long-lasting peace in Myanmar. As President Thein Sein has said, we have opened the gate of peace,” said vice-chairman of UPWC and Union Minister Aung Min.

“In order to sign the nationwide ceasefire agreement, we need to work in getting an agreement to stop the clashes in some areas of the country with political discussions. It will be meaningless if some parts of the country got ceasefire and some aren’t,” said Naing Hantha, leader of NCCT.