Negotiators from the government, military and a bloc of Burma’s non-state armed groups have agreed to convene the third session of the 21st Century Panglong Conference in January 2018.
Aung Kyi, the head of the Peace Commission, told DVB that they hoped the ethnic rebel alliance would be “involved in the peace process very soon”.
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“We have no agenda to make a presentation or discuss anything at the conference,” said KIO spokesperson Naw Bo.
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A Karenni leader stressed that delegates would aim to reach mutual agreements on behalf of all ethnic armed groups that are working towards a federal system.
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.
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.
Ethnic bloc says “Nation of a Federal Democratic Union”; Tatmadaw insists on “Nation of Democratic and Federal Union”.
The government extended an invitation to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang to join next month’s Union Peace Conference.
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“Grassroots groups know what is happening in their area. Often the authorities do not,” said Ashin Awe Bar Tha.
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Insofar as the Union government’s agenda for ethnic reconciliation is concerned, there is little doubt that the north, where the most powerful rebel armies operate, holds the key to a permanent negotiated settlement.
She also told her fellow delegates that much of Burma’s recent success was down to her government’s policy of ensuring “a level playing field”.
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DPN and govt agree on principles that would pave the way towards a nationwide ceasefire agreement and kick-starting the peace process.
Following the recent resignation of the KIO and other members, the UNFC now consists of just five groups: the NMSP, SSPP, KNPP, LDU and ANC.
Harn Yawnghwe’s Euro Burma Office has been a major donors to the ethnic armed organisations and civic groups involved in peace talks.
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The KNU Concerned Group says the Union Accord fails to include all ethnic armed organisations and does not take into account the opinions of ethnic political parties.
“As far as I know, the government is not going to allow them to be represented as an alliance or coalition. It believes no progress can be made if it does so.”
Ceasefire groups urged Naypyidaw to facilitate “national-level political discussions” in Shan and Arakan states.
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UPDJC agrees in principle to allow administrative regions and states a federal right to adopt their own constitutions, but only on the basis that they do not seek to break away from Burma.
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“We are seeing renewed fighting with the Tatmadaw in Namhkam, Kutkai and Namtu townships,” said the TNLA spokesperson.
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UPDJC’s Sai Nyunt Lwin says the main focus of this next round of negotiations at the 21CPC should be about federalism.
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Ahead of talks with the government, UNFC vice-chairman Nai Hongsa reiterates the ethnic bloc’s demands.
Ban Ki-moon said, “I commend the new Government for its emphasis on dialogue, cooperation and reconciliation between military and civil society leaders and political and economic stakeholders.”
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From Moulmein to Melbourne, Burmese turn out to add their support to the 21CPC, which Aung San Suu Kyi will host, beginning on Wednesday.
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The Arakan Army, Ta’ang Nationalities Liberation and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army have welcomed the Burmese government’s announcement that they are invited to the upcoming peace conference.
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The spokesperson for the President’s Office confirmed to reporters on Tuesday that the agenda has been agreed for the upcoming talks.
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“There will be 75 representatives from the government; 75 from parliament; 150 representatives each from the Tatmadaw [Burmese military], ethnic armed groups and political parties; 50 ethnic representatives; and 50 other invitees.”
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Meanwhile, the chairman of the opposition USDP, former President Thein Sein, states that his party intends presenting its policies and stance to the Panglong summit.
A new report by a Brussels-based think tank says that Burma’s “undisputed political leader” has a strong tendency “to concentrate power in her own hands and delegate little.”
The non-binding agreement was reached in the Kachin State town following debate on DDR and SSR in a future federal union.
The eight principles are: sovereignty; equality; self-determination; establishment of a genuine federal union; protection of ethnic rights, democratic rights and basic human rights; gender equality; a multi-party democratic system; and secularism.
