No Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement Signed Until a “Code-of-Conduct” is Discussed

Representatives from both the government and ethnic armed organizations continue discussions on a ceasefire code-of-conduct before signing a nationwide ceasefire agreement.

Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo, a member of the Karen National Union’s Central Executive Committee, spoke to Karen News about the issue while attending the latest round of negotiations over the “Single Text” Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the government at the Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) in Rangoon.

Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo said that the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) that represents the ethnic armed organizations and the government representatives were working towards forming a Working Committee to discuss the ceasefire “Code of Conduct”.

Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo spoke to Karen News about the talks.

“We discussed about how to come up with a code of conduct that we can comply with. We discussed how to reduce our concerns [of both sides’ actions]. We needed to discuss these issues and proceed with actions. We will form a Working Committee represented by members of both sides to have further discussion before signing the nationwide ceasefire agreement.”

During a press conference held after the negotiations, spokepersons from both the government and the armed groups told reporters that there were only four key points from the whole nationwide ceasefire “single text’ agreement that needed further discussion. However, any details of what the remaining key points are has yet to be announced to the public.

The NCCT leader, Nai Hong Sar, raised in his conclusion speech that although the majority of the issues are clearly defined, he is still concerned about which groups are legitimate to take part in political dialogues and who will represent what groups in further ceasefire negotiation.

Lt. Col Khine Kyaw Han of the Arakan Army (AA) told Karen News that discussions on the Code-of-Conduct should include a range of issues – from demilitarization to relocation of troops, the reduction in weapons and a halt to new recruitment.

U Aung Min, vice chairperson of the government’s Union Peace Work Committee said that he hoped that the remaining key points that needed further discussion would reach an agreement in the meeting scheduled for early September. U Aung Min said that the date for the signing of the nationwide ceasefire agreement could be scheduled if the upcoming discussions were successful.

The latest round of negotiations between the NCCT and government’s UPWC lasted for three days and was attended by Union Ministers, U Aung Min, U Thein Zaw, U Khin Ye including Lieutenant General Thet Naing Win, Lt. General Myint Soe, and Lt. General Ye Aung – the ethnic representatives included NCCT members Nai Hong Sar, Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, General Secretary of Karen National Union and the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Kachin Independent Army, Major General Gun Maw.