Govt, rebels reach ceasefire deal
The Union Peacemaking Working Committee (UPWC) and the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) reached an agreement yesterday on a draft of the nationwide ceasefire deal after a series of meetings.
The agreement came shortly after the seventh round of ceasefire talks between the UPWC and NCCT, which began on March 17. The parties discussed all points included in chapters 1 to 7 from March 17-22 in Yangon. They resumed talks on March 30 to discuss the remaining points after a seven-day break.
Hla Maung Shwe from the Myanmar Peace Centre (MPC) said at a press conference: “Both sides have agreed to all points in the draft ceasefire deal.”
The draft was finalised today and leaders are expected to sign the preliminary agreement.
A coalition of ethnic militias formed the NCCT in early November 2013. The NCCT initiated ceasefire talks with the UPWC on November 4 and 5 that same year. There have been seven official meetings and a series of informal talks to date.
NCCT leader Naing Han Thar said: “There were many blockages at the beginning of the talks. The NCCT and the UPWC have reached an agreement on the ceasefire deal draft thanks to our patience and mutual understanding. But we need to further discuss some points. The NCCT alone has no authority to ink the nationwide ceasefire pact. We need to hold discussions on the agreed points by inviting leaders from all groups. These points are to be reported to the leaders at the meeting. Then, the leaders are to make decision on the agreed points.”
The NCCT plans to hold an armed national races group summit in April to seek the approval of ethnic minority leaders. However, the NCCT has yet to secure a venue for the summit, according to the NCCT.
Speaker of the Union parliament Thura Shwe Mann sent a congratulatory message to the negotiating parties in honour of yesterday’s talks.
RELATED