UNA leaders to attend peace summit
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Yangon - Leaders of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) have decided to attend the Union Peace Summit scheduled for January 12 despite the absence of several members.
The meeting, chaired by Aye Thar Aung, executive council member of the Arakan National Party (ANP), sought approval for the nationwide ceasefire agreement and to attend the Union Peace Summit.
Aye Tha Aung said: “The summit will not be perfect as non-signatories to the ceasefire will have no chance to attend."
Political dialogue will start on January 12 and come to an end on January 22.
Only eight armed groups will attend the meetings. The remaining groups will be invited as "special guests".
“Can the political dialogue implement autonomy for the states and the establishment of a federal union? Will it come to a resolution? What will happen next? How will the next government proceed with it? We need to think about many things. So we review all points. But we will attend the summit and present what we want to say,” he continued.
The UNA was formed by eight ethnic political parties: the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), Mon National Party, ANP, Zomi Democracy Federation, Shan State Kokang Democratic Party, Karen National Party, Kachin National Democracy Congress Party and Kayan National Party.
Four of the eight UNA members won seats at the November 8 poll, including the SNLD which secured 40 seats; the ANP 44 seats and the Zomi Democracy Federation with six for various parliaments.
