The latest state-level Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC-S) was established yesterday, June 30, in Mon State’s capital city of Mawlamyine.
The newly formed JMC is comprised of 14 members who represent the ethnic armed groups (5), government (5), and the civilian population (4). The committee is chaired by Brigadier-General U Myo Win of the Southeast Command, with General Saw Aik Zat Poe from Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) as vice-chairman (1) and a former Mon State Minister Dr. Min Nwe Soe serving as vice-chairman (2).
According to the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) signed last October by eight ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and the previous government, the establishment of national and regional Joint Monitoring Committees provides a mechanism to ensure both sides observe the agreement and prevent armed conflict.
“The main thing is to monitor the armed groups that signed the NCA. This will be carried out in accordance with the NCA text. We will keep an eye on how groups are doing and whether they follow the accord, as well as both sides’ activities,” said Dr. Min Nwe Soe.
The vice-chairman added that in the event that the agreement is violated, the committee would seek resolution through negotiation, inviting generals from the Southeast Command and the KNLA, the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), to hold a mediated discussion.
General Saw Aik Zat Poe stressed the importance of inclusive participation in negotiations that are conducted around a table, not expressed through armed engagement. Joint monitoring provides the opportunity to prevent military clashes and fulfill the NCA, he said.
“Fighting is almost everywhere in the country. In keeping with the country’s new approach, political problems should be resolved through politics. They should not be solved through armed conflict.”
The first state/division-level JMC was founded on January 9 in Shan State, after which committees were established in Tenasserim Division on February 25 and in Karen State on June 29.
“It is necessary to implement this type of monitoring program to put the NCA text into action after its signing,” said U Ko Ko Gyi, vice-chairman (2) of the Union-level JMC.
Each JMC has a tripartite structure composed of representatives from the government, EAOs, and civilian appointees mutually agreed upon by the first two groups. The Union-level JMC has 26 members: 10 from government, 10 from EAOs, and six civilians.
The meeting to establish the Mon State JMC was held in Aung San Hall at the Southeast Command Headquarters on the outskirts of Mawlamyine, formerly known as Moulmein.
