The Arakan Army (AA) wants the Western Command included in the extension of the Tatmadaw’s unilateral ceasefire declaration, the AA’s deputy chief Dr Nyo Twan Aung told media after the talks in Shan State’s Kengtung town on 17 September.
The Tatmadaw has extended its unilateral ceasefire to 21 September in five military operation areas. Meanwhile, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Arakan Army (AA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), three alliance ethnic armed groups fighting with the Tatmadaw, have also declared a ceasefire from 9 September to 9 October.
Dr Nyo Twan Aung said that the three alliance’s decision to extend their ceasefire declaration depended on the Tatmadaw.
“We must wait and see what tactics they use on 21 September. We hope the Western Command is included in the Tatmadaw’s unilateral ceasefire declaration. I have hoped for that whenever I attended meetings,” he said.
The Tatmadaw declared its first unilateral ceasefire from 21 December last year to 30 April. Then, it has extended its four-month truce to 30 June and 31 August. The latest extension will expire on 21 September.
The ceasefire has been declared in five military commands in Kachin and Shan States. They are the Northern Command in Kachin State, North Eastern, Eastern, Central Eastern and Triangle Commands in Shan State.
Although the Tatmadaw has extended its unilateral ceasefire through 21 September, the Western Command in Arakan State has still been excluded.
The Northern Alliance of four ethnic armed groups and the government’s peace negotiators including military representatives met in Kengtung on 17 September and the tripartite talks reached agreements on seven points.
Although representatives are negotiating to end hostilities, clashes are still occurring between the Tatmadaw and the Northern Alliance trio of the TNLA, MNDAA and AA.
“Unquestionably, both sides need to try to reduce conflict on the ground,” Dr Nyo Twan Aung said.
Representatives of the Northern Alliance allies and government agreed to meet again in October.
