09:00 AM, 21 February 2021 News Briefing
On February 20, the 10 ethnic armed organizations_EAOs that signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement_NCA announced a joint statement that they oppose the military coup and will suspend political talks with[…]
04:00 PM, 20 February 2021 News Briefing
40 universities across Myanmar were declared as Civil Disobedience Movement-CDM universities. Ten ceasefire groups have yet to decide whether to suspend the implementation of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement -NCA. University[…]
11:00 AM, 03 February 2021 News Briefing
The State Administrative Council, including 11 members, chaired by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, including eight military leaders and three civilian leaders, was recently formed to assume gov’t functions on[…]
05 January 2021 News Briefing
As of 8 PM, 4 Jan, a total of 16,990 samples were tested and found 590 new cases and 16 deaths. MoHS has reported 126,935 confirmed cases including 110,200 discharged,[…]
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Peace Process
Demand for independent homeland bars Naga group from NCA
A faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland will not be allowed to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement because of the ethnic Naga armed group’s core demand for an independent Naga homeland spanning either side of the Burma-India border, according to government spokesperson Zaw Htay.
Panglong III wraps with delegates tacking 14 points onto ‘Union Accord’
The latest iteration of the “21st Century Panglong Conference” concluded on Monday with participants signing 14 points of agreement as the high-level peace confab came to a close in the capital Naypyidaw.
Third round of ‘Panglong’ peace talks begin
Negotiators gathered on Wednesday to kick off Burma’s latest round of high-level peace talks, ostensibly furthering a process that has bogged down amid ongoing conflict in the country’s border regions.
500 flee homes in Namtu as Shan, Ta’ang armies clash
Most travelled by foot, carrying what possessions they could.
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Politics
Launch of Karen rights report quashed by Thai authorities
The launch of a Karen rights organisation’s report has been blocked in Chiang Mai, Thailand, after authorities pressured a local university to cancel the event.
Coalition of ethnic armed groups ready to join Panglong summit, awaits invite
The Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee releases a statement reiterating the ethnic armed coalition’s intention to join the upcoming third iteration of the government-led 21st Century Panglong Conference, if the bloc is officially invited to do so.
Calls grow for withdrawal of Burma Army troops in Karen State’s Hpapun
Joining a rising chorus of voices objecting to the encroachment of Burma Army troops into territory in Karen State, hundreds of villagers in the state’s Hpapun Township staged a protest on Monday, calling on the military to withdraw its forces.
Lead Story News Peace Process Rakhine
Sittwe Bombings: Detained activist suffering ill health, says family
“He told his wife that he had been coerced during interrogation. I am very worried that it has had an impact on his health.”
Conflict Ethnic issues Lead Story News
Two civilians killed as RCSS-TNLA fighting flares again
Fighting between the Restoration Council of Shan State and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army flared once again this week in Kyaukme Township, Shan State, with a shelling from the clashes landing in a local village and killing two civilians.
NMSP, KNU sit for talks following clashes over territory
The Mon army spokesman confirmed that dialogue focused on measures to resolve the territory conflict, and to prevent clashes from recurring.
Wa, Mongla groups ‘accept’ nationwide ceasefire accord: govt peacemaker
A member of the government’s Peace Commission says the United Wa State Army and the National Democratic Alliance Army, the latter also known as the “Mongla group,” accept the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, an accord that the two influential ethnic armed groups had previously spurned.
300 Namtu villagers flee as RCSS, TNLA resume fighting
The 324 villagers are now being sheltered at a Buddhist monastery in Man San village near Namtu town.
Conflict Ethnic issues Lead Story News
NMSP and KNU clash again in Tanintharyi Region
Clashes between the New Mon State Party and the Karen National Union, two Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement signatories, erupted on Sunday morning in Yebyu Township, Tanintharyi Region.
Parliament approves new NCA signatories, federal union accord
Burma’s bicameral parliament today unanimously approved a bill to establish “a Union based on the principles of democracy and federalism”.
Four detained, reportedly facing terrorism charges, after Sittwe bombings
Four civilians including an ex-political prisoner and a former administrator were detained in Rakhine State on Sunday, reportedly on counter-terrorism charges, a day after three bombs rocked the state capital Sittwe.
Conflict Ethnic issues Lead Story News
Mon, Karen national ceasefire signatories clash in southeast Burma
A clash between soldiers from the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Battalion 16 of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) reportedly erupted over the weekend near Mahn Aung village in Ye Township, Mon State. The skirmish flared eight miles away from the village.
Human rights activist released from prison
The ALP report accused the Burmese army of extrajudicial killings of captured enemy combatants, as well as forcing civilians to serve as porters.
In Pictures: Chin National Day celebrated in Mindat
Muskets and melodies kicked off celebrations for the 70th Chin National Day in Mindat, Chin State, on Monday, commemorating the remote region’s long struggle for democracy and self-determination.
Two steps closer to peace? Mon, Lahu ethnic armed groups sign NCA
The New Mon State Party and Lahu Democratic Union signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) on Tuesday, fulfilling a pledge that the two ethnic armed groups made last month to accede to an accord initially inked by eight non-state armies more than two years ago.
Ethnic issues Lead Story Photos Shan
In Pictures: Shan National Day draws a crowd to RCSS’s border headquarters
During the 71st Shan State National Day commemoration at the headquarters of the Restoration Council of Shan State’s Loi Tai Leng headquarters, European ambassadors and UN representatives rubbed shoulders with ethnic armed group leaders.
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Peace Process
Mon, Lahu armed groups to sign NCA on Feb. 13
The New Mon State Party and Lahu Democratic Union will sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement on 13 February, with their accession to the accord marking one of the most substantive breakthroughs in Burma’s peace process since the National League for Democracy took power nearly two years ago.
Burmese military sits for talks with Kachin rebels
“Despite the fact that intense hostilities are continuing between the two sides, I believe that this informal meeting could pave the way for a shift from armed conflict to political dialogues,” Naw Bo told DVB.
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Peace Process
Two of several ethnic armed group holdouts commit to signing NCA
The New Mon State Party will sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, marking the first time that an ethnic armed organisation has acceded to the accord since eight initial non-state signatories joined the previous government and military in formally agreeing to its terms over two years ago.
‘Panglong III’ peace summit delayed: official
Plans to hold the next iteration of the government’s self-styled “21st Century Panglong Conference” have been pushed back. Instead of convening late this month, the third round of the high-level summit will not take place until February.
Burmese peace talks ‘deadlocked’ over terminology, says UNFC
Ethnic bloc says “Nation of a Federal Democratic Union”; Tatmadaw insists on “Nation of Democratic and Federal Union”.
Conflict Kachin Lead Story News
Tatmadaw launching attacks on Kachin positions, says KIA
Government forces have reportedly launched assaults on its positions across Kachin State, including artillery shelling near the Kachin headquarters of Laiza.