The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) opted not to sign the agreement during the historic meeting last week in the Kachin Independence Organization's (KIO) capital Laiza. However they are expected to join after consulting with the group’s leader Yawd Serk and other Shan political parties.

Last week’s conference was requested by the KIO seeking a united response to the government’s scheme. Most of the major ethnic armed groups attended with the exception of Burma's strongest ethnic armed group, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and their allies from the Mong La based National Democratic Alliance Party.

The stipulation to participate in the nationwide ceasefire reiterates the KIO's long held requirement that there must be comprehensive political dialogue with all ethnic armed groups before durable peace can hope to be achieved. A 13-member committee was formed at the conference tasked with negotiations with the government.

Most of the ethnic armed group leaders, including Gen Gun Maw, vice-chief of staff of the Kachin Independence Army and several high ranking KIO leaders, traveled to the Kachin state capital Myitkyina on Sunday to be greeted by hundreds of supporters. The ethnic leaders were preparing for further peace talks with the government that started this Monday.

The KIO remains the only major armed rebel group in Burma yet to sign a fresh ceasefire with the government.