The Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) informed the Than Lwin Times that the three northern ethnic armed organizations, will not join the next peace conference organized by the Military Council.
Lt. Col. Sai Su (SSPP) stated “Regarding the peace conference, the NSPNC asked whether we endorse their proposal or not.? We simply signed that we three are not ready yet ,and unable to attend the conference for the time being if it is to be held”.
He added “we are unable to comment since we are only representatives who cannot entirely present the organization’s view as, we have not had time for our organizations to discuss it. “
On July 20 and 21, the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) of the Military Council engaged in talks in Naypyidaw with representatives from the northern ethnic armed organizations that have not signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). These organizations are United Wa State Party (UWSP), Mong La's National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), and the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP).
The Military Council has issued a press release which states that the attendees mutually discussed on the implementation of agreements in previous talks, organizing the peace conference and updates of regional developments as well as issues submitted by the EAOs. Consequently the military added that both sides had discussed their opinions again and reached final agreement at the second day of the negotiation.
On March 22nd and 23rd, the NSPNC of the Military Council discussed with those three parties on the issues of holding elections and the peace conference. Additionally, the military continued discussing with the NCA-signatories, Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), Karen Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC), Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), and Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) in the last week of June.
Afterward, in the first and second week of July, the NSPNC of the Military Council held meetings with another two signatory armed organizations, New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS). The issue of holding the peace conference was repeatedly proposed by the military during this meeting.
Political analysts have shared their views that the peace conference will not be happen since the ethnic armed groups that are in talks with the military council are not involving in efforts to eliminate the dictatorship.
On the other hand, the military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing also made an announcement indicating that increasing security measures are necessary due to the deteriorating situations in Chin, Karenni and Sagaing regions.
The Military Council has reportedly held several discussions with 10 ethnic armed organizations including 7 signatories and 3 non-signatories of the NCA.
