Irrawaddy-Apr 21
As clashes between the military and resistance forces continue in many parts of Myanmar, coup leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing used his first cabinet meeting on Monday to invite ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) to join peace talks within 100 days. He claimed the offer was part of his government’s 100 day plan, urging PDFs to “enter the legal fold” and EAOs—both signatories and
non signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA)—to hold talks before July 31. The offers reflect Min Aung Hlaing’s different approaches toward EAOs and PDFs. He made no mention, however, of the National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmar’s parallel government, which is widely regarded as the driving force of the Spring Revolution and commands PDFs.
Among NCA signatories are the Karen National Union (KNU), Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, KNU/KNLA Peace Council, Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Arakan Liberation Party, Lahu Democratic Union, All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF), Chin National Front (CNF) and Restoration Council of Shan State. Since the 2021 coup, however, the KNU, CNF and ABSDF have declared the NCA void and resumed armed struggle against the military. A faction of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) is also fighting the regime in Shan State. Min Aung Hlaing’s latest overture was swiftly rejected by the KNU, CNF and ABSDF—three groups he singled out in his peace offer. KNU spokesman Padoh Saw Klel Say said the regime is trying to revive the NCA after breaking its terms by staging a coup in 2021. “They pick the NCA up again as they need it. But the NCA is already broken. For seven decades the army has relied on the same two-pronged approach. That is how we see it,” he said. Despite inviting talks, Min Aung Hlaing ended his peace offer with threats, warning EAOs not to make “unrealistic demands” and threatening to take necessary actions if required. He also claimed that PDFs lack political legitimacy, describing them as individuals merely being “exploited and manipulated.” Read more at:
