A peace treaty could override a standing constitution, as war-torn countries or deeply divided societies often opted to iron up their difference to accommodate each others’ political aspirations and compromised.

Seen in this light, the Union Peace Conference – 21st Century Panglong could become such a gathering, where a peace treaty among all major ethnic nationalities, including all sub-ethnic groups, could be worked out. And based on this treaty outcomes, a new charter or constitution could be drawn. After that elections could follow and a new government installed.

But for the Union Peace Conference – 21st Century Panglong to succeed, government’s unilateral nationwide ceasefire must be declared, followed by all ethnic armies to follow suit; all contenting parties accept the tripartite dialogue composition of government (including parliament and military), ethnic armies, and political parties in all political negotiations; and a genuine desire to form an equitable federal system of government.

If the kind of peace treaty could be achieved under the above said guiding principles, we could get out of the present never-ending vicious circle of ethnic and social conflicts, and could do away with military-drafted 2008 constitution without much problem.

If I am not wrong, the NLD’s U Nyan Win has also just said that a peace treaty could override a standing constitution.

Link to the story : Aung San Suu Kyi amends her stand on constitutional reform