eight ethnic armed group signatories, according to United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC).
Last week (December 7-10), in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, the UNFC held its annual conference. However, the conference was held exclusively by the ethnic armed groups that have not yet signed the NCA. The day after the conference, UNFC released a statement.
The UNFC’s issued statement stated that the UNFC’s would continue to meet with the current government and with the transitioning National League for Democracy government to completely finish the NCA’s implementation. Furthermore, the UNFC formed a group of representatives that would negotiate and find solutions to continue implementing the NCA project.
On December 8, the Hluttaw approved the NCA that was signed by only eight ethnic armed groups but not every ethnic armed group that were involved in negotiating and drafting the NCA.
“The Hluttaw should not approve the NCA as it is not a nationwide representation. If it approves, true peace cannot be also established. Another thing is that we cannot get the answer [solution] that everyone wants. So, we object this,” said Nai Hongsar, vice-chairman of UNFC.
The government invited 15 ethnic armed groups to the NCA inking, although the UNFC members requested the government have all 21 ethnic armed group involved in signing the NCA. Regardless, the government went ahead and signed the NCA with eight ethnic armed groups on November 15, 2015.
The eight-signatory groups are Karen National Union (KNU), Karen National Liberation Army –Peace Council, Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), Pa-O National Liberation Organization, Chin National Front, Arkan Liberation Party, All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) and Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army.
The ethnic armed groups that have not signed the NCA include Kachin Independent Organization (KIO), Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP), Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), New Mon State Party (NMSP), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), United Wa State Army (UWSA), National Socialist Council of Nagaland –Khaplang(NSCN-K), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDA), Arakan Army (AA), Arakan National Council (ANC), Wa National Organization (WNO), and Lahu Democratic Union (LDU).
