Union Day serves as a reminder of an issue that has continued to destabilize the country even before Myanmar’s independence in 1948. The holiday commemorates the Panglong Agreement on Feb. 12, 1947, an arrangement that if implemented would have granted autonomy to the various ethnic groups of (the previously named) Burma. The agreement was facilitated under the administration of Aung San, and promised autonomy for the Shan, Kachin, and Chin ethnic groups in exchange for their support to secure Myanmar’s independence. The accord was created in response to numerous rebellions by ethnic minorities striving for greater autonomy. But the agreement was never fully realized after Aung San, 6 members of his cabinet, a cabinet secretary and a bodyguard, were gunned down only months after it was signed. Myanmar’s first Prime Minister U Nu never granted full autonomy to the ethnic communities.

During the 66th anniversary of Union Day in Naypyidaw President Thein Sein extended an invitation to all the ethnic armed groups. This included the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLA) who have been fighting with the Myanmar military since a 17-year ceasefire between the KIO and government unraveled on June 9, 2011. Neither group attended the ceremony.

Efforts to end the fighting in Kachin and northern Shan states have been unsuccessful. Recent peace talks between KIO leaders and the Union-level peace-making committee took place in the Chinese border town of Ruili. During the meeting neither side could come to an agreement that would end the conflict.  Fighting in Kachin and northern Shan states is ongoing. The Myanmar military has taken control of several key hilltops surrounding the KIO’s Laiza headquarters following a heavy assault involving government jet fighters and helicopters late last year.

The next round of peace talks will also be attended by other ethnic groups and is expected to take place on Feb. 20 in Thailand.