The leadership of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) has decided not to attend Burma’s national political dialogue, scheduled for January 12.

Sai Nyunt Lwin, the general secretary of the SNLD, told SHAN that they would choose four party members to attend, but that the party leaders, including Khun Htun Oo, are not going to participate.

“Khun Tun Oo will not attend,” he said. “It is not going to be meaningful if everyone is not included,” he added.

The peace summit is slated to be held for five days, from 12-16 January, and is set to include 700 representatives from the government, parliament, military, political parties, eight Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) signatory groups, as well as experts and observers. Non-signatory armed groups are to be invited as special guests.

“Attending or not, there is nothing,” said Sai Leik, an SNLD spokesperson. “Right now, the fighting has continued happening in many places. It has not stopped.”

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), is also reportedly not going to attend the meeting, but other NLD representatives will join instead. Daw Suu also did not attend the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement signing ceremony which was held on October 15.

There have been reports that the leaders of the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North (SSPP/SSA-N), a non-signatory to the NCA, also will not be attending the peace summit.

On January 5, over 100 civil society organizations released a statement demanding a halt to the dialogue because of ongoing fighting between government and ethnic armed groups in both in Shan and Kachin States.

By SAI AW / Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N)