The New Mon State Party (NMSP) has withdrawn from the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST), which is composed of ethnic armed groups that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).
The PPST was formed by the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the KNU/Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council (KNU/KNLA PC), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), the Pa-O National Liberation Organisation (PNLO), the Chin National Front (CNF), the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF), the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU).
RCSS, KNU and CNF withdrew from the PPST after the military coup on February 1, 2021.
The NMSP informed the PPST of their recent decision by letter.
According to Colonel Khun Okka who sits on the PPST as the patron for the Pa-Oh National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the New Mon State Party (MNSP) submitted its resignation letter at the end April, and the matter will be discussed at the next meeting.
“They have submitted their resignation letter and will discuss it with everyone. We want to know what the main reason is. So we will decide what to do in response, only after the next meeting. But participating in PPST also means that we respect the right of each group to self-determination, so we have to respect this group’s decision. However, we have to take the opportunity to cooperate with the public as much as we can.” he said.
The Independent Mon News Agency asked the NMSP for comment regarding their resignation but no response was received at the time of publication.
Colonel Khun Okka further clarified that the NMSP did not completely withdraw and there will be some level of on-going cooperation.
“We don’t know the full background story. However, they have not completely withdrawn, which is a positive sign. We have 3 positive signs. It is called PPST Plus (3). The 3 groups are CNF, KNU, and RCSS. Among those 3 groups, RCSS has been the most cooperative. They are where they wish to be in terms of participation. For example, in our foreign affairs committee, if we invite the ASEAN special representative, the RCSS representative will be there. Also, they take all of our international food supplies. One thing is that some of our executive members are not deeply involved in the business, so their cooperation is high,” he added.
The National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) was signed on July 7, 2021 and the Peace Process Steering Group (PPST) which is composed of ethnic armed groups followed with their signatures to abide by a ceasefire.
After NMSP’s General Yew Sis retired, Vice-Chair Nai Aung Min took over.
The New Mon State Party (NMSP) signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) on February 13, 2018.
