The participation of non-signatories of the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) is indispensable in negotiating common goals and standards for the establishment of the future federal democratic union, the Karen National Union (KNU) chair Gen Mutu Say Poe said in his opening speech at the third summit of the NCA-signatories ethnic armed organizations (NCA-S EAOs).
“Negotiations on the common goals and standards for building the future federal union need to be made among the leaders, who can make decisions, in order to overcome the difficulty we are facing. The participation of the brethren that haven’t signed the NCA is indispensable in building these common views. That’s why our brethren should be allowed to participate via informal talks because we can’t leave anyone behind in the peace process,” the KNU chair said in his speech.
The third summit of the NCA-S EAOs is being held in Chiang Mai, Thailand on September 8-11 and leaders and delegates of the ten NCA-S EAOs are attending the summit, according to the NCA-S EAO Facebook page.
“Priority must be given to the issues that can contribute in building trust between everyone in the peace process and discussions will be held on how to work together to achieve sustainable peace,” the KNU chair added.
Leaders of the NCA signatories – Karen National Union (KNU), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army – Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC), the Chin National Front (CNF), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), the New Mon State Party (NMSP), and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) – are attending the summit.
The first and second summits of the NCA-S EAOs were held in November 2015 and March 2016.
The NCA-S EAO PPST meeting and NCA-S EAO UPDJC meeting were held in Chiang Mai on September 6 and 7 before the summit.
