Background: Myanmar's longstanding rebel conflicts
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Yangon (dpa) - Myanmar includes a wide range of ethnic groups that have been fighting for greater autonomy since independence from Britain in 1948.
The ethnic rebels say they have not been granted the autonomy granted by the 1947 Panglong Agreement, signed by Britain and then Burmese leader General Aung San shortly before his assassination.
Formally known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the country is 68 per cent ethnic Burman - who give it its alternative name Burma- but has large ethnic minorities, many associated with its states.
The respective ethnic groups of Shan State in the east, Karen State in the south-east, and Rakhine State in the west represent around 9 per cent, 7 per cent and 4-5 per cent of the national population.
Some rebel groups are associated with illegal logging or drug-running, but all claim political objectives.
Violence has flared in the north-east this year, starting with an attack on the army by Kokang rebels in the north, reportedly after one of their leaders returned from exile across the Chinese border.
The clash and reprisals have drawn in militias associated with the Kachin in the far north, the Palaung in the eastern state of Shan, and the Arakan, the ethnic group of Rakhine State in the east.
The All Burma Students' Democratic Front has also increased its activities this year, campaigning for education reform.
President Thein Sein said he wanted a truce before the election but only eight of the rebel groups signed up in October.
The included major groups such as the Karen National Union, the Chin National Front, the Arakan Liberation Party, and the students' group.
The other seven of the 15 involved in recent talks walked out. At least another six are active in the country, for a total of 21.
Groups who did not sign include the United Wa State Army, one of the largest, and the Kachin Independence Organisation, which controls much of the north-eastern Kachin State on the border with China.
The truce is far from comprehensive, but is the most concrete result in more than four years of negotiations, including seven rounds of talks and more than 200 informal meetings, according to The Economist.
