CNI News
23 October 2025
The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) does not view the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) as a scrap of paper, said Lieutenant Colonel Oum Khay, Spokesperson for the RCSS, to the CNI news agency.
Six ethnic armed organizations and breakaway groups that had signed the NCA issued a joint statement on October 13, stating that the Myanmar military's coup in 2021 openly destroyed the essence, fundamental principles, and objectives of the NCA, thereby rendering the agreement a scrap of paper.
These organizations include the Karen National Union (KNU), the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF), and the Chin National Front (CNF), who signed the NCA, as well as breakaway groups from NCA signatories: the New Mon State Party (NMSP-AD), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU).
Lieutenant Colonel Oum Khay, the RCSS Spokesperson, told CNI news agency that the RCSS does not view the NCA agreement as a scrap of paper and is adhering to it seriously.
Lieutenant Colonel Oum Khay of the RCSS
He said, "We, the RCSS, do not see it that way. Our organization is still taking the NCA seriously and following it. We are still implementing it. We don't see it as a scrap of paper, as others have said. The aspirations of ethnic groups differ from one group to another, so there is nothing to criticize."
The NCA agreement was first signed during the administration of President U Thein Sein on October 15, 2015, marking its 10th anniversary on October 15, 2025.
However, military and political analysts point out that the NCA's processes have been stalled since after 2020 and remain so today.
A total of 10 organizations signed the NCA: KNU, RCSS, ALP, DKBA, KNU/KNLA-PC, PNLO, CNF, ABSDF, NMSP, and LDU.
However, due to differences in stance following the political changes in 2021, the peace process is currently being pursued only with the 7 groups that remain committed to the NCA.
General Yawd Serk and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing seen together
Lieutenant Colonel Oum Khay, RCSS Spokesperson, told the CNI news agency that peace must be based on the NCA and carried out with adherence to the mutually agreed terms of the contract.
He stated, "If we talk about peace, it is based on the NCA. But the implementation of the NCA is what is important. Therefore, as I just mentioned, it is necessary to proceed according to the contract agreed upon by both sides. That is what I want to say. It is necessary to proceed with adherence to the terms contained in the NCA agreement. There are many instances where the agreed terms of the contract could not be implemented. But I don't want to go into detail."
Political analysts suggest that while there are not many points in the NCA that need to be rectified, non-functional points should be reviewed, and necessary adjustments should be made.
Currently, the ABSDF, CNF, and KNU have declared the NCA defunct and are engaged in fighting with the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw). Similarly, the PNLO, ALP, LDU, and NMSP have split into two factions, with some withdrawing from the NCA and others continuing on the NCA path.
