CNI News
2 October 2023
The Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) non-signatory EAOs (ethnic armed organizations) were invited by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council to attend the 8th anniversary celebration of the NCA.
Some foreign countries have been invited to attend the event as well and non-signatory EAOs could walk on the way to peace by attending the event, he said.
"Coming October 15th is the 8th anniversary day of the signing of the NCA. We are to hold the event with political essence. We have invited all ethnic leaders within our reach. We are inviting foreign countries. We invited some countries by phone or by mail. Some replied they can come and others can't. Even if foreign countries are interested in attending, EAO leaders should be more interested. Especially NCA signatories all need to attend. NCA non-signatories can walk on the way to peace by attending the event." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.
NCA signing ceremony was being held on 15 October 2015
The NCA was signed by the government, the Tatmadaw and the EAOs on 15 October 2015 under the government led by U Thein Sein.
And then, delegates from UN, EU, China, Thailand, and India as well as local individuals who should participate signed as witnesses.
Although CNI News contacted NCA non-signatories by phone to know their attitudes about the invitation of the SAC, it had no contact.
Among the NCA non-signatories, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the National Democratic Alliance Army-Myla (NDAA) and the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) might attend and the rest organizations are not in a situation to attend, said Col.Khun Okka, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), to CNI News.
During the press conference of the NCA signing ceremony
" The Tatmadaw needs to cease fire if it wants EAOs that is invited to attend the celebration. Another thing is that there is no organization that has resigned from the NCA. As soon as an organization resigns, it will be an unlawful association or a terrorist organization automatically. Some EAOs might take part in armed conflict, but they don't resign." he said.
The NCA was signed by the Karen National Union (KNU), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), KNU/KNLA-Peace Council, the Chin National Front (CNF), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) and the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) on 15 October 2015. And then, the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union signed the NCA on 12 February 2018.
KNU, CNF and ABSDF that are at battles against the Tatmadaw are less likely to attend the celebration reportedly. KNU and CNF are saying th.at the NCA has been void without declaring that they have resigned.
