Five main topics are being discussed at an ethnic summit that is currently taking place in Maijayang in eastern Kachin State. One of which, includes a draft of a new federal constitution.
A photo of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of the Union of Burma
(Second Draft)
A summit attendee that wished to remain anonymous said the military isn’t very happy about it, seeing it as a threat to the existing one.
“They already have the 2008 Constitution so they don’t want to another one.”
The summit that runs until 29 July in Kachin Independence Organization controlled territories is an opportunity for the ethnic armed groups to prepare for the government organized Union Peace Conference (also 21st Century Panglong Conference) in late August. All of the country’s twenty-one groups have been invited to the summit.
At the time of press it’s unclear how many have actually attended.
Other topics on the agenda are the establishment of a federal union, formation of a union army, amending the framework for political dialogue and recognising the drafted Panglong Handbook.
A photo of the Panglong Handbook
Pyidaungsu Institute for Peace and Dialogue director U Khun Sai said: “At first, I was told that four main topics will be discussed [at the summit]. I didn’t know about the plan to discuss this Constitution of the Federal Republic of the Union of Burma that has been submitted by the UNFC (United Nationalities Federal Council). They will submit the points that have been amended by the UNFC. I don’t know whether we will have enough time to discuss and agree on it.”
Reporting by S.H.A.N.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff
