A conference of armed ethnic groups ended on January 25 after being repeatedly extended amid disagreement over a draft ceasefire agreement to be negotiated at peace talks with the government.
The conference, which produced agreement on six points to be included in a draft ceasefire, began at the Karen National Union’s Lawkheelar camp in Kayin State on January 20 and had been due to end on January 22.
Details of the six points were not released to journalists at the conference, attended by representatives of the 18 armed ethnic groups in the National Ceasefire Coordinating Team formed to take part in the peace talks, as well as some other organizations.
Reports after the conference began said there had been disagreement over references to a federal army in a draft ceasefire agreement to be discussed with the government at the next round of peace talks, due to take place in the Kayin State capital, Hpa-an, late next month.
As well as agreement on the six points, it was also revealed on January 25 that the conference had decided to accept the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front as a signatory to a national ceasefire agreement.
The ABSDF had previously enjoyed observer status at meetings of the armed ethnic groups.
