Myanmar junta stages ‘peace talks’ with minor groups

Myanmar’s military regime is touting a series of peace talks with small ethnic organisations, even as it intensifies military operations against the country’s main resistance forces.

The initiative follows a 100‑day ultimatum set by coup leader‑turned‑president Min Aung Hlaing in April, urging ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) to join negotiations and calling on People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) to surrender.

In recent weeks, the junta’s National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee, led by Lieutenant General Yar Pyae, has met with the Shanni Nationalities Solidarity Organization (SNSO) and the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP). The SNSO is already aligned with the military, while the SSPP is non‑combatant but accused of aiding regime offensives in northern Shan State.

Talks have also been held with the so‑called “7 EAO Alliance”, a coalition of groups that signed the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. Most of these organisations are either inactive or accused of cooperating with the regime, while splinter factions continue to fight.

Informal meetings were also reported with the United Wa State Army and the National Democratic Alliance Army, both long‑standing ceasefire partners.

Analysts say the junta is deliberately engaging only with minor or compliant groups, using the process as a propaganda tool to bolster its image abroad. “The active resistance groups would probably not even show up,” said veteran commentator Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw, noting the absence of the Kachin Independence Army, Karen National Union, Karenni National Progressive Party, Chin National Front, Arakan Army and the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front.

Critics argue that without dialogue with these major forces, the regime’s peace drive is hollow. “If there are no talks with the main fighting groups, there can be no genuine peace,” one analyst observed.

The junta’s selective approach appears aimed at demonstrating progress to regional powers such as China and India, while avoiding engagement with the National Unity Government‑aligned PDFs that continue to lead the armed resistance.

At the same time, airstrikes and ground offensives persist, underscoring the gulf between the regime’s rhetoric and the reality on the battlefield.

-2026-06-18