Burma: Ethnic rebel groups discuss nationwide ceasefire as hostilities continue

Burmese soldiers carrying launchers walk on a road as they patrol in Kokang, northeastern Shan State. Pic: AP.

By Mark Inkey May 04, 2015

Burma’s Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) may not proceed beyond the draft stage because some of the ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) involved in the latest rounds of fighting are being excluded from the agreement.

A summit between the leaders of 12 EAOs is being held in Panghsang at the headquarters of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), ending on May 6.

Three of the EAOs attending the summit are not recognised by the government. These are: The Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army or Kogang Group (MNDAA), and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). The Burma Army also expressed its displeasure that these groups were invited to the summit. It even threatened to arrest their leaders under paragraph 17/1 of the Association with Illegal Organizations Act as they traveled through military-controlled areas to the summit.

Unfortunately for the government and Burma Army the recent fighting in Kokang, Northern Shan State that broke out in February has involved these three groups. If they were to be excluded from a peace agreement there would be little reduction in levels of fighting.

The AA was formed in 2010, but until recently was only active in Kachin State and northern Shan State. They have an agreement with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) who have trained their troops. Of the 23 military cadets who were killed at a KIA base near Laiza by Burma Army artillery on November 19, eight of those who died were AA cadets.

After fighting in Kokang members of the AA returned to Arakan State and on March 29started fighting the Burma Army in Kyauktaw Township in Northern Arakan State near the border with Chin State. This is the first time there has been fighting in Arakan State for decades.

Since then there has been sporadic fighting in Kyauktaw Township and Paletwa in Chin State. This has caused civilians to flee their homes and take shelter in Sapar Seik Village. There have also been reports that the Burma Army is arresting people because they suspect them of being AA members or assisting the AA. There were even reports of them arresting and torturing 70 villagers.

On April 27 the US embassy issued a statement saying that the US was concerned by the fighting in Arakan State. It said: “We urge all parties to cease hostilities, and ensure the protection of civilians and timely delivery of all necessary humanitarian assistance to the affected population in accordance with international standards.”

It is clear that if the government refuses to deal with the MNDAA, TNLA and AA fighting will continue and as Bao Youxiang, the UWSA commander, said: “It [the NCA] would just be words on paper if there are still uncertainties and the conflict cannot be stopped.”

The ethnic summit in Panghsang includes senior representatives of the following ethnic armed groups: the UWSA, the MNDAA, the TNLA, the AA, the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO/KIA), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP/SSA), the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA- Mong La), the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Pa-O National Liberation Organisation (PNLO) and the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP).