Tuesday’s statement is aimed at informing the public about the UNFC’s clarification on situations regarding peace talks and military offensives on the ground.

The statement includes the passage, “as the civil war, which has been going on for nearly 70 years in Burma, is rooted in political problem, the UNFC has steadfastly upheld the position that the war must be resolved politically through dialogue and negotiation. The UNFC resolutely believes that the country will be able to stand as a peaceful and prosperous State only if a democratic federal union is established after the conclusive termination of the civil war and the establishment of genuine peace.”

The UNFC’s 11-point statement was sent out to media agencies and other organizations and was also published in both Burmese and English versions on its official Facebook page, on December 13.

The UNFC points out that the NLD inherited the exclusion of ethnic organisations from the NCA and that it has the power to correct these mistakes.

During the National League for Democracy (NLD)’s election campaign in self-administered region of Pa-Oh in September, 2015, the party leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, as mentioned in the statement, said “It is most important that the ceasefire agreement should be genuine, durable and acceptable to all the ethnic nationalities, relevant political parties and forces; It should not be an agreement signed today and the resumption of shooting the next day; Time is not important; I would like to say definitely that genuineness is the most important; If the NLD becomes the government, it shall interact honestly and openly with the ethnic nationalities; The promise given shall remain firm; I promise that it shall not become a party that does not keep promises; Relevant stakeholders shall be allowed to participate in peace building; It shall be transparent; A situation must be created for the people in the country and all the relevant persons to know the progress of peace talks.”

In response to her speech, the statement read “…it is clear that the peace process would benefit by following Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s promises. We seek to negotiate our 9-points for the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), to make limited necessary improvements and to achieve the promised genuine, durable, and mutually acceptable ceasefire agreement. Instead of trying to resolve the issue of the Tatmadaw attacking some of the ethnic armed resistance organizations from the air and from the ground, the present NLD-led new government, inheriting the non-inclusive and non-nationwide NCA, is only endeavoring to hold a Peace Conference once again, after limiting the time for negotiations and holding minimal talks on signing the NCA. Apparently, even if all cannot participate, it is going to try and realize peace with the organizations that could follow. This indicates that it is not headed towards nationwide peace and stability.”

At the end of the statement, UNFC stresses the necessity to produce a peaceful atmosphere with inclusive dialogue aimed at the establishing democratic federal union, as well as ensuring the public that the UNFC will continue to seek dialogue with the government, coupled with support from the people and the international community.