Lt-Gen Yawd Serk, the chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State/ Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) has called for both the Myanmar government and the country’s ethnic armed groups to prioritize reaching ceasefire agreements as a major first step in the peace-making process.
“The nation’s leaders are vitally important in bringing about reform in Myanmar,” he said, speaking on June 19 at the Shan Literature and Cultural Association Hall in Taunggyi. “Both so too are the voices of our citizens. All sides must first seek a ceasefire if we are to achieve peace.
“Since 1962, under the rule of the military junta under Gen. Ne Win, there has been widespread civil due to his thirst for power.”
Wednesday’s meeting was attended by state ministers, the chairman of the Shan State Assembly, representatives of ethnic parties, peacemaking groups, and about 250 members of civic society groups.
A week earlier, on June 10, the RCSS/SSA chairman met with President Thein Sein in Naypyitaw. He also met in Yangon for talks with NLD chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi and Hkun Htun Oo, the chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy.
