Peace Process: SPTT and NCA-Signatory EAOs hold press conference

A press conference was held on the peace talks between the State Peace Talks Team-SPTT and five NCA-Signatory EAOs, which was held in Nay Pyi Taw from 29th to 31st August.

SPTT Spokesperson Col. Wunna Aung said the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) was signed on 15th October 2015 between the Tatmadaw and 8 EAOs with the presence of local and international witnesses from China, India, Japan, Thailand, the European Union, and the United Nations.

Additionally, it is a historic treaty that has been approved by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. On 13th February 2018, two more EAOs signed the NCA, which made the NCA signatory EAOs a total of 10 groups.

During the tenure of the State Administration Council, the government held meetings with 7 NCA-signatory EAOs, 3 Non-signatory EAOs, and the political party.

During these meetings, agreements have been reached in implementing cooperative efforts for a strong multi-party democracy system, building a union based on democracy and a federal system, which is the desire of the entire people, harmonious efforts for peace and development of the Union, and amending 21 sections of the State Constitution (2008).

For providing humanitarian assistance, the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (JMC), in cooperation with UN agencies, is providing assistance to the areas that actually need it, through collaboration with the concerned state government. Currently, humanitarian assistance has been provided to the needy persons from Kayin, Rakhine, and Shan States.

JMC will continue to provide assistance to the needy areas in the future. The Spokesperson of the five NCA-Signatory EAOs, Daw Saw Mra Raza Lin, said NCA is a true essence for the entire people, and it was officially signed between the government and EAOs.

The President, two Vice Presidents, the Commander-in-Chief, and the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services, along with the representatives from 8 EAOs, signed the NCA in the presence of local and international witnesses.

National-level political dialogues were held based on the NCA. Since the NCA is a treaty approved by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, it cannot be annulled. That’s why most of the NCA-Signatory EAOs will continue to implement the NCA and hold the dialogues until achieving peace, resulting in the emergence of a democratic federal union.

Discussions are underway for the practical participation of EAOs in building democracy and a federal union. NCA will reach its 8th anniversary on 15th October, and discussions are being made on the plans to organize the 8th-anniversary celebration meaningfully.