The ceasefire talks between the
military junta and Arakha Army (AA) in Kunming of Yunnan province (China)
collapsed as the AA representatives demanded an end to civilian atrocities,
exclusive presence of the AA fighters in Rakhine State and withdrawal of
military forces from the region.
A source
familiar with the discussions informed Narinjara News that the junta's
delegation referred to the 2008 Constitution and three main national causes
during the meeting, but the negotiation failed to proceed.
"The
discussion with the AA made no progress as both sides disagreed to reach an
agreement. The AA insisted on being the sole force in Rakhine. But the
junta reiterated their responsibility as per the constitutional
provisions,” added the source.
The specific meeting mediated by
Beijing was organised on 16 May.
However,
issues concerning TNLA and MNDAA were discussed and no immediate
agreement was reached on Rakhine issues.
The Three
Brotherhood Alliance, consisting of Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army
(MNDAA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and AA, organised its 5th
meeting with the military junta at Haigeng hotel in Kunming from 14 to 16
May.
During the discussions on the first
two days, five agreements were reached. Those highlighted in enhancing the
existing Haigeng agreement, minimizing confrontations, reopening border trade
routes, safeguarding Chinese interests in Myanmar and acknowledging the
MNDAA as the official governing body of Kokang special region 1.
In the
separately organised discussion with the AA, junta’s advocate general Myo Thant
Naing, newly appointed member of National Solidarity and Peacemaking
Negotiation Committee (NSPNC), was present. The AA was represented by vice
commander-in-chief Dr Nyo Twan Aung.
Three Brotherhood
Alliance was represented by AA vice commander-in-chief Dr Nyo Twan Aung,
Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)'s foreign affairs leader Tar Moe Hein
and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)'s external relations
officer brigadier general Phone Win Naing.
By
now, Operation 1027 has resulted in the fall of 16 towns in northern Shan
State. The gun fighting ceased on 11 January following the Chinese mediation.
As the
talks between the military junta and Three Brotherhood Alliance are going
on, the fighting in Rakhine State continues. On 15 May, Wea Gyi Daunt hospital
in Kyauktaw was occupied by the AA fighters. The town faced extensive
damages from airstrikes, where 20 civilians were injured including
medical workers, patients and caretakers.
Lin Thi
village under Thandwe township was struck by artillery shelling where 10
civilians were killed.
The AA is
yet to make any statement regarding the breakdown of ceasefire talks on
the Rakhine issues. Hence the specific information here can not be
independently confirmed by Narinjara News.
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