After meeting in Thailand ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) agreed to participate in the Union Peace Conference – 21st Panglong.
The ten EAOs that are signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NSA) met with the government’s National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) in Chiang Mai to overcome obstacles that caused the cancellation of the Joint Implementation Coordination (JICM) meeting last month and restarting the peace conference.
“We discussed how to hold Union Peace Conference and its timeline,” Zaw Htay, spokesperson for the government’s Peace Commission (PC) told the media during a press conference after the meeting. “The government proposed to have it after Armed Forces Day in March. We have many things to do before we start the JICM meeting. There are many proposals from both sides, and these need to be evaluated.”
Nai Aung Ma-Ngae, spokesperson for the EAOs, said they have already decided to meet for the JICM and join the Union Peace Conference – 21st Panglong. “I think we achieved positive results from today’s meeting. During the JICM meeting, we’ll discuss a detailed schedule for the UPC (Union Peace Conference – 21st Panglong.)”
The last JICM that was planned for the end of October was canceled after the Burma Army reportedly blocked the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) Chairperson Gen Yawd Serk from joining the 4th anniversary of the NCA in Naypyitaw.
This incident was discussed when both sides met in Chiang Mai and the international pressure the government and army are currently facing over the treatment of the Rohingya.
The government’s delegation was led by Khin Zaw Oo, a former Myanmar Army leader.
Col Sai Nguen of the RCSS/SSA led the EAOs delegation.
