The military junta’s peace delegation, the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC), will hold an informal meeting with the 7 Ethnic Armed Organization’s (EAO) Alliance, a coalition of seven ethnic armed organizations that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).
According to alliance officials, the meeting is expected to take place in Naypyitaw on February 12th after the Union Day ceremony. Representatives from the seven NCA signatory groups will attend the talks, said Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson for the 7 EAO Alliance.
“We heard that since it has been a long time without direct engagement, there will be an informal meeting with the NSPNC while attending the Union Day ceremony,” he said.
He added the discussion will be informal and he would not personally attend, so he was unaware of any detailed agenda.
According to sources, the military junta invited each ceasefire armed group individually, and the organizations have agreed to send representatives.
Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt said that even a government formed after a junta-led election would face significant challenges in resolving the country’s ongoing armed conflict. However, he expressed hope that the meeting could create an initial opening for future dialogue.
“Even if it cannot immediately ease the current situation, if it serves as a starting point or an entry point for peace talks, it could bring some benefit compared to what we are facing now,” he said.
The 7 EAO Alliance includes the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), New Mon State Party (NMSP), Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), and the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army–Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC).
