Dinner for 15 ethnic militia leaders planned

It will be held after their meeting on the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with President Thein Sein, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and three senior delegates from the ethnic armed groups’ Nationwide Ceasefire and Coordination Team (NCCT).

The dinner will be hosted by Union Peacemaking Working Committee (UPWC) vice-chairman Dr Sai Mauk Kham. 

Khun Myint Tun, chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organisation, said President’s Office Minister Aung Min invited the ethnic delegates to the dinner at their last meeting in Mae Sot, Thailand, on August 30.

The Mae Sot meeting was attended by Karen National Union (KNU) Chairman Mutu Sayphaw, Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) vice-chairman General Inbanla, Karen National Progress Party (KNPP) chairman Khun Able Tweed, New Mon State Party (NMSP) chairman Naing Mon Htaw and Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) chairman General Sayhtin. It was held to encourage the participation of all ethnic armed forces in the signing of the national ceasefire agreement.

Among the 21 active ethnic armed forces in Myanmar, the government has recognised only the 15 armed groups that previously signed agreements with the government and has refused to accept six ethnic armed groups, including the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Arakan Army.

“When [several ethnic armed groups] met in Chiangmai, Thailand, there were agreements among us. The delegates will act according to those agreements, so there is nothing to be worried about. The leaders of the five ethnic armed forces and three special delegates will also act in accordance with the decision laid down. Our policy is the inclusion of all groups,” said TNLA general secretary Col Tar Phone Kyaw.