[Myanmar] Ethnic Reach Sign Agreement, But Not All Sign It

KNU chairman Saw Mutu Say Poe (Right) and DKBA representative signed ethnic common agreement in Laiza , Kachin State on Saturday . (Photo – Jpaing / The Irrawaddy)

All representatives of 18 ethnic rebels except a Shan rebel, have officially signed a common nine-point agreement on Saturday, agreed to sign the government-proposed nationwide ceasefire agreement with conditions.

The ethnic Shan rebel, Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), didn’t signed the agreement on Saturday.

Nai Hong Sar, general secretary of the UNFC said, “Those who doesn’t sign the common agreement wanted to consult with its respective leaders or fellows before signing the agreement. But, they agreed with the common agreement in principal even though they don’t sign the agreement.â€

The ethnic leaders also agreed to form a 13-member committee who will lead discuss with the government delegation over peace negotiations. The committee will take the common agreement that the ethnic leaders reached in Laiza and negotiate with the government in Myitkyina, according to Nai Hong Sar.

Col Sai La, spokesperson of the RCSS said they are not ready to sign the agreement here at this time as they would need to brief its fellow Shan political parities and community-based organizations about the common agreement. After meeting with its fellow Shan parities, the RCSS will sign the common agreement, but no date is set.

The common agreement included signing government-proposed nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) by this year, but only if the government guarantee a comprehensive political dialogue in early next year.

However, it very much depend on the response from the government peace delegation led by Minister Aung Min in an planned meeting in Myitkyina, capital of Kachin State next week.

Almost ethnic representatives who attended the Laiza conference will travel to Myitkyina after meeting in Laiza to attend the followup meeting to discuss their joint agreement that they reached in Laiza with the government delegation led by Minister Aung Min.

The ethnic representatives held four-day meeting which started from October 30 and end on November 2. All ethnic armed groups except ethnic Wa and Mongla groups attended the conference.

Khun Okkar, joint secretary 2 of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), an alliance of 11 ethnic armed groups said the participants jointly agreed on a nine-point agreement which include forming an ethnic committee to represent all ethnic groups in dealing with the government over the NCA. Another point stated that the ethnic group want to sideline the Burmese armed force in the government’s political administration.

Salai Lian Hmong Sakhong, a leader of Chin National Front said that signing the NCA will open the door for political dialogue that the ethnic groups have been waiting for a long time to discuss their demands and rights base on the federalism.

Questions, however, lingered about why the RCSS didn’t sign the agreement on Saturday. Some said that the RCSS’s dilemma for not signing the agreement now as its policy makers don’t want the KIO to be recognized in a special way by initiating this ethnic summit in Laiza.

It is also learnt that the RCSS which an European Union-backed controversial Shan leader, Harn Yawnghwe served as advisor, even wanted another ethnic conference like Laiza. However, Harn Yawnghwe signed the agreement on Saturday on behalf of Euro-Burma Office also as a peace facilitator. Kachin peace facilitators from Peace Creation Group also signed the agreement as witnesses.

The post Ethnic Reach Sign Agreement, But Not All Sign It appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.