Restarting ceasefire process will take great effort: KNU leader

 

Padoh Mann Nyein Maung’s comment followed the likelihood that the government-backed Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC) and the ethnic minority-backed Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) may amend and add points to the NCA. Such was discussed during the Law Khee Lar summit, held from June 2 to 9 in Kayin State.

“When the opinions of the government and the ethnic minorities differed, there were some confrontations. For example, the discussion was paused for three or five months. However, both sides have overcome these barriers through negotiation. It is very good to overcome these challenges so that the NCA can be completed. However, I would like to say that progress on the NCA has stalled again since delegates at the Law Khee Lar summit demanded amendments to the original NCA. As far as I know, the government is not happy about that. It seems the process will restart again. We are sorry for this pause in the ceasefire process. We had put a lot of effort into this,” said Padoh Mann Nyein Maung at the Kayin National Pre-Conference held at the Myanmar Convention Centre on July 2. 

The pre-conference took place from July 2 to 4, aimed to push peace process as well as promote economic, education and social status of Kayin State.

The KNU leader noted that the NCCT and the UPWC took over a year and a half to finish drafting and approving the NCA. During that time, leaders of the two sides met officially seven times and also held many informal meetings. 

“If the two sides are willing to build genuine peace and terminate the conflicts without harming national security, they need to continue the peace process with open minds. Completing the ceasefire will require compromises,” he said.

Sporadic fighting remains rampant. In Shan State, tension has mounted after the government army arrested some Wa troops who were caught cutting wood in Mongton Township in early June. Officials from both sides reportedly held talks on the incident on June 24. 

Aung Myint, spokesperson of the United Wa State Party, said that negotiations are necessary to ensure a long-lasting ceasefire between the Myanmar Army (Tatmadaw) and the UWSP/the United Wa State Army (UWSP/UWSA).

The UWSA, after splitting from the Communist Party of Burma, reached a ceasefire agreement with the previous military junta in 1989. 

“Nothing has happened now between our Wa group and the government. The issue is still under discussion. The problems have to be solved through discussion and negotiation,” Aung Myint said. 

He also said he could not explain the details of the discussions as he does not have knowledge of the whole situation. 

A person close to the government’s peace negotiation group said he hoped both sides would try to maintain the ceasefire since no clashes have erupted over the past 25 years. 

The ruling government has granted the Wa region, which is governed by the UWSP/UWSA, the status of self-administered region, which is divided into northern and southern parts. 

The Wa group demanded to be recognised as a state during the conference of 12 ethnic armed group leaders hosted by the UWSP/UWSA in Panghsan, Shan State, in early May.