After the recent 7th anniversary ceremony of the signing of the NCA hosted in Naypyidaw on October 15 th , a member of the Restoration Council of Shan State delegation (RCSS) Colonel Saung Han has admitted they had been coerced to accept some agreements over their participation and signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).
The RCSS colonel reflected on some issues faced during the NCA processes in his recent speech posted on Tai Freedom – Burmese Version Facebook Page operated by RCSS on radio.
“We have learned many lessons in the seven years since we signed the NCA.” He mentioned a number of RCSS grievances “ In meetings and discussions, issues like sticking to the one-sided policies, disrespecting the other parties, pressing in superior manner to accept agreements, and one-sided determination of the place of discussion occurred. Such kinds of behavior cause a lot of difficulties in carrying out discussions and negotiations”, Colonel Saung Han said.
Colonel Saung Han added “Only by creating a fair situation for both sides, and coordinating in future talks, will we be able to build strong trust among the groups so that we are able to build a federal democratic union, which is the goal of all.”
In addition, he commented that “during the 5-year-period that NCA was implemented, politics, economy, military affairs, livelihoods, law enforcement sectors of Myanmar were improved, but sadly all the progress was abruptly stopped by the February 1 of 2021, when the Military Council staged the coup.”
Colonel Saung Han said, “The implementation of the NCA halted in 2021 due to the political crisis. The issue of continuing to hold the 21st Century Panglong Conference as agreed by the NCA is no longer possible, because there is no more participation. That is why I feel sad and regretful”.
On the other hand, the Union Peace Conference - 21st Century Panglong Conference was able to be held (4) times in accordance with the NCA, and we were able to sign a union agreement for civilian protecting issues, peace and stability in region, social and economic affairs of the public.” RCSS representative said.
Seven NCA-signed organization namely Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS),The Karen Peace Council (KNLA/PC), Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLO), Arakan Liberation Army (ALP), Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) attended the 7th anniversary ceremony of the signing of the NCA, held in Naypyidaw on October 15.
However the remaining 3 organizations, the Karen National Union (KNU), All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) and Chin National Front (CNF) decided not to attend the ceremony as since the coup everything has changed for these three EAOs. Unlike the RCSS, they are pledged to support resistance at all levels to defeat the military junta.
