The Mon Unity Party (MUP) decided to continue its participation in the State Administration Council formed by the Army, in spite of a flood of criticism from CDM movement, local communities and civil society

More than two-thirds of the MUP members gave “Yes” votes after the MUP took the vote at the emergency meeting of its CEC in Thanphyuzayat Township on March 15th.

A spokesperson of the MUP said: “The party’s CEC held an emergency meeting yesterday. The inclusion of the MUP member in the SAC was discussed at the meeting. The majority of CEC members gave the “Yes” vote. “The decision was arrived at with 26 “No” votes and 60 “Yes” votes. The CEC’s former decision was approved.

The SAC did not appoint Dr. Banyar Aung Moe assigned by the MUP. The SAC chose Naing Layi Tama, Secretary-1 of the MUP as the member of Mon State Administration Council.

In a recent interview with the Mon News Agency (MNA), Naing Layi Tama said: “I decided to accept the offer as I fear that there may be bloodshed among Mon people if we oppose it. I would like to request the people to understand our party. I want to say the people to keep calm.”

Likewise, the New Mon State Party issued a statement, saying that it did not encourage the plan to solve the current political problem with the use of violence and force. The party urged all those concerned to find the exit through political means.

The Kachin State People’s Party, the Kayah State Democratic Party, the Karen National Democratic Party, the Chin National League for Democracy and the Mon Unity Party jointly issued a statement on February 5. They called on all groups to pay attention to national unity, d local people and keep in mind the political culture which seeks the solution to the problem and building up the federal union by political means and negotiation.

However, the majority of the ethnic parties, and armed groups remain opposed to any cooperation with the SAC.