Seven ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) that signed the so-called Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) have formed a negotiating team to represent the groups for informal peace talks with the military regime’s National Security and Peace Negotiation Committee (NSPNC).

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Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt has been appointed as spokesperson for the EAOs, which will meet for talks together before entering into talks with NSPNC leader Lt-Gen Yar Pyae.

“The seven EAOs have already signed the NCA and participated in the peace talks offered by Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing after the military coup,” Kyaw Nyunt said, explaining that next time they’ll meet “to find a solution collectively” with regime leaders. He hopes they’ll find common ground for an agreement for lasting peace in the country.

Min Aung Hlaing, the regime leader, however, said during a meeting in August that if the EAOs wanted to keep their weapons, they’d have to join the regime’s military or Border Guard Forces.

According to a confidential letter leaked on social media, the NSPNC reportedly proposed to meet with some representatives of the EAOs in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai on 12 December before informal talks with all representatives in Taunggyi or Mawlamyine three days later. The official meeting is scheduled for 20 and 21 December in Yangon.

The NCA signatories who have agreed to meet with the regime are Restoration Council of Shan State, New Mon State Party, Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army – Peace Council, Lahu Democratic Union, the Pa-O National Liberation Organisation and Arakan Liberation Party.

The Karen National Union, Chin National Front and All Burma Student’s Defence Force have signed the NCA but are fighting the military and won’t send representatives to meet the junta.