January 31, 2018
The news last week that two more
ethnic armed groups, the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic
Union (LDU) would sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) was met with
near-universal praise. Now is the time for other armed groups to join in moving
further forward in the process towards a lasting peace, officials and citizens
said.
The following are reactions from
diplomats, private citizens, military leaders, the State Counsellor and others
in praising the actions of the NMSP and the LDU and urging other groups to
follow their lead.
“It was heartening to watch the
reactions which appeared on social media on 23 January, 2018, that people were
anxious to see this auspicious news on television. I also watched this news in
detail on the evening television programmes. As a Myanmar national, I feel full
of vigour to hear this kind of news at the right moment. The peace process is,
of course, now gaining momentum. By the time I watched this news programme, I
felt like writing an article due to burning desire which can further foster the
peace process of our country”.
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi
After State Counsellor Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi received delegations from the NMSP and LDU, both of whom agreed to
sign the NCA, at the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) in Yangon,
she expressed her delight at the progress made towards peace.
“In order to gain enduring peace
in our country, I believe we can proceed step by step, which is of paramount
importance for all of us, and every single step we are retracing now is not
only for ourselves but also for our new generations to come”.
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 Kyar Khun Sar.
Tatmadaw Commander-in-Chief
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing
Likewise, Tatmadaw
Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received New Mon State Party
(NMSP) Chairman Nai Htaw Mon and Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) Chairman Kyar Khun
Sar separately in Bayint Naung Hall in Nay Pyi Taw, on 23 January, 2018.
“Armed conflicts have started
since the time of our independence, and successive governments tried to bring
peace throughout the ages. As for our Tatmadaw, we are ready and willing to
work hand-in-hand with all the armed ethnic races in order to cooperate
together. I would like to urge all of them to cooperate with us without any
doubt so that we can build an enduring peace process which is based on
mutual-respect.” said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
After the NMSP and LDU sign the
NCA, there will be a total of 10 ethnic groups who have become signatories.
This is indeed auspicious news, because this gives us hope after years of
strife and many fits and starts in the peace process. It is an appropriate time
to see how far we have come in hopes of inspiring others to continue the
current progress.
Unity is strength
Judging from the internal
conflicts of our country, few can deny that the cause of conflicts has arisen
mainly on account of the wedge that was driven by the colonialists between
those who hold different political ideas. Whatever political beliefs one may
hold, the union can be thrown into complete disarray because of disunity. As
the saying goes, “United we stand, divided we fall”. As long as all our regions
and states are united, our union can stand tall among the countries of the world
in dignity.
An endeavour for peace
With the aim of building a
perpetual peace, the former government had invited armed ethnic groups to set
up a framework from which they could hold discussions from basic level to union
level at the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. Efforts were being made to reach agreement
from this peace-making process.
In order to sign the NCA ,
top-level Peace Talks were held on 9 November, 2013 in Hlaing Zar, Kachin
State, and another peace summit was also held in Law Khee Lar, Kayin State on 2
June, 2015.
Negotiations were made with the
Union Peace-Making Central Committee (UPCC) and ethnic-armed group and several
discussions were held to sign the NCA.
During the final stages of
drafting the NCA, agreements were made on seven chapters, including 33
paragraphs and 86 sub-paragraphs.
After reviewing the final parts
of the agreements, preliminary agreements were made on 31 March, 2017. As a
result, the NCA was made and finalised in August, 2015.
The Union Government, the
Hluttaw, Tatmadaw and ethnic-armed groups signed the NCA on 15 October, 2015.
All-inclusive signing
If all ethnic armed groups signed
NCA, displaced persons could live peacefully in their own homes. For the
children, they would be able to pursue their studies without any difficulties.
Smooth and efficient transportation systems would be possible, making for
faster shipping of goods that will make commodity prices fall. All this will
result in higher living standards for local residents.
Fruits of peace
The situation now has changed in
the right direction because ceasefire agreements between the government and
ethnic-armed races have been made across the country. It is heartening to see
that people can enjoy the fruits of peace and stability and the benefits of
earning a peaceful living. Especially in these areas, infrastructures such as
roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and telecommunications offices have been
built and local people can now travel freely from one place to another.
Everyone can witness that their ways of life and living standard have increase
dramatically.
Find a way to sign the ceasefire
agreement
It is sorrowful to see that some
ethnic armed races from the north and north-east parts of Myanmar haven’t
signed the ceasefire agreement with the government. Consequently, these areas
still remain underdeveloped and innocent children and elderly persons have had
to move to IDP camps for their food and shelter. It is high time for the
ethnic-armed races to find a win-win solution with the government; thereby a
fruitful result will come out so as to bring peace and development in the
regions.
All in all, people who are peace
lovers aspire to see the NCA, which is their ultimate goal in their lives. It
is incumbent upon the ethnic armed races to find a solution with the government
and Tatmadaw by peaceful and sincere means so that we can build perpetual
peace. It is cause for rejoice to know that the New Mon State Party and Lahu
Democratic Union will sign the NCA very soon, and all the citizens are looking
forward to this auspicious news which can usher in all the blessings to all the
nationals.
Maung Thaung Win (Ex-diplomat)
(Translated by Win Ko Ko Aung)
Ref; The Global New Light of
Myanmar
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