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”.
Ethnic bloc says “Nation of a Federal Democratic Union”; Tatmadaw insists on “Nation of Democratic and Federal Union”.
A major member of the United Nationalities Federal Council, the Shan State Progressive Party, has submitted a resignation letter to the council, with the ethnic armed group on Sunday revealing its plans to leave the coalition.
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.
The move came after UNFC delegates refused to speak to journalists about the conference, and barred media from entering the meeting room.
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Peace Process
The dwindling alliance of ethnic armed groups joined under the United Nationalities Federal Council banner convenes a conference in Thailand chaired by a leader of one of its former members, the influential Kachin Independence Army.
The Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) and the Wa National Organisation (WNO) have withdrawn from the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), a formerly seven-member coalition of ethnic armed groups.
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Politics
As the ethnic alliance concludes talks aimed at negotiations with Burma’s new civilian government, one of its members is coming under renewed army pressure.
The ethnic coalition remains resolute that the TNLA, MNDAA and Arakan Army must all be included in a peace deal.
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Peace Process
The ethnic alliance has expressed its doubts over the Burmese military’s commitment to the peace process, citing ongoing assaults in Karen, Shan and Kachin states.
Karen Lead Story News Peace Process
“We would like to see a reconciliation because we cannot attain federalism with Karen people alone. All ethnic groups have to work together if we are to be successful.”
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Peace Process
Chairman of the ethnic bloc says it will reserve two leading positions for representatives of the Karen Nation Union despite the Karen group walking out of the UNFC conference in Chiang Mai on Sunday.
Peace talks between the United Nationalities Federation Council and government peace negotiators ended in a promise to engage in political dialogue yesterday in Chiang Mai.
Karenni Lead Story Military News
“The Burmese army handed over the ashes of the soldiers to the KNPP on 21 December 2017.”
Military representatives apparently wish the term federal union to be replaced by nation of democratic and federal union.
“Once UNFC is on the NCA path and is negotiating with the other parties involved, it can amend the things they do not want. There is nothing to be concerned about.”
“We understand that the government has a lot of issues to resolve, in particular the Arakan Crisis. However, the peace process should be its priority,” says Khun Okker.
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Peace Process
DPN and govt agree on principles that would pave the way towards a nationwide ceasefire agreement and kick-starting the peace process.
State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi opened a second round of peace talks under her government here in the capital on Wednesday, predicting that the coming days would bring “intense discussions, exchanges of views, debates and difficult decisions.”
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Peace Process
A negotiating committee representing seven ethnic armed groups in northern Burma says it intends to attend next week’s Union Peace Conference in Naypyidaw, which is being organised by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s government.
“We cannot just agree to place our fate in the hands of the Burmese military, because then we are helpless if they deploy armed force against us,” said UNFC’s Nai Hong Sar.
Lead Story Mon News Peace Process
Mon political parties, monks and members of civil society in the southeastern state are urging the New Mon State Party, a Mon ethnic armed group, to sign Burma’s Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.
Several ethnic armed groups that are not signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) have decided they will not sign the accord and instead are looking to engage in alternative-track peace talks under the leadership of the United Wa State Army.
Lead Story News Peace Process Politics
Ahead of talks with the government, UNFC vice-chairman Nai Hongsa reiterates the ethnic bloc’s demands.
Senior leaders of the Karen National Union (KNU) and Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) met to talk peace and war in northern Burma’s Kachin State on Wednesday.
The UNFC says that by branding the Northern Alliance as ‘terrorists’, the Tatmadaw has derailed peace talks.
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The non-binding agreement was reached in the Kachin State town following debate on DDR and SSR in a future federal union.
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Peace Process
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.
Next week’s meeting will mark the first time the UNFC has sat for talks with the Burmese government.
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Peace Process
Suu Kyi also plans to meet members of other armed groups as she prepares to launch a comprehensive peace process building on last year’s Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.