Ethnic armed groups will meet with the government as a group and then separately with the Myanmar Army.

The government’s National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) invited ethnic armed organizations that are non-signatories of the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) to attend upcoming peace talks meeting in Naypyitaw, capital of Myanmar. All eight non-NCA signatories are expected to attend.

U Zaw Htay, director general of NRPC, signed the invitation letter sent to member groups of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC).

U Nyi Rang, head of United Wa State Army (UWSA) liaison office in Lashio, confirmed that the Wa will attend talks in the capital.

Khu Daniel, second secretary of Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), said they will join. “We already decided to attend the meeting in Naypyitaw since an informal meeting in Chiang Mai. I hope for the best and that we can get closer and establish trust during the meeting.”

The Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) have accepted the invitation. “At this point, I can’t say exactly what we will discuss during the meeting,” said Maj. Sai Phone Hang, the spokesperson for SSPP/SSA.

The peace talks at NRPC office in Naypyitaw will begin on March 21. A leader and one member of each ethnic armed organization (EAO) have been invited to attend.

After the NRPC meets the EAOs, the Myanmar Army plans to will meet each group separately.