New Mon State Party, Lahu Democratic Union agree to sign Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement

January 23, 2018

Two more armed ethnic groups agreed yesterday to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), bringing the total number of signatories to 10 and allowing them to participate in the upcoming 21st Century Panglong-Union Peace Conference.

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi received delegations from the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), both of whom agreed to sign the NCA, at the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.

The delegation from the New Mon State Party was led by its Chairman Nai Htaw Mon, and the delegation from the Lahu Democratic Union was led by its Chairman Kya Khun Sar.

At a news conference at the meeting hall of the NRPC following the meetings, the State Counsellor expressed her delight at the progress made towards peace.

“I thank our ethnic national brothers and sisters and ethnic Mon and Lahu nationals for helping in the enduring existence of the union, peace in the union and development based on peace. I believe we are not doing this for ourselves but are taking the next step for the next generation.”, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said.

Ten other groups have not yet signed the ceasefire, including the Karenni National Progressive Party, the Arakan National Council, the United Wa State Army and the Kachin Independence Army.

The NMSP and the LDU agreed to sign the NCA after meeting with the State Counsellor and the Tatmadaw’s Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing, said NMSP representative Nai Aung Min, reading from a statement.

Also present at yesterday’s meetings were the Union Minister for the State Counsellor’s Office U Kyaw Tint Swe, Peace Commission Chairman Dr. Tin Myo Win, Deputy Minister for the Ministry of the State Counsellor’s Office U Khin Maung Tin, and Deputy Minister for the President’s Office U Min Thu. Together with NMSP Chairman Nai Htaw Mon were General Secretary Nai Aung Min, Nai Layika Kaung, Nai Win Hla, Nai Banya Le, and Nai Aung Mangay, while LDU Chairman Kya Khun Sar was accompanied by Kya Solamon and Kya Sheh Bo.

Myanmar News Agency

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar