MNA journalist Nai Banyar Aung had the opportunity to talk with U Aung Thu Nyein, ISP-Myanmar**’s Director of Communications recently to get the Institutes perspective on the recent calls for a ceasefire during the pandemic

Question: Recently hundreds of CSO’s in Myanmar called for a ceasefire in the country. What do you think of the Tatmadaw’s (Myanmar army)’s statement in regard to these calls for ceasefire during the pandemic?

Answer: On May 9, the Tatmadaw announced that there will be a ceasefire, specifically a stop to certain armed conflicts, for 3 months during this Covid-19 period. I think it’s a very good move and I welcome that.

The Tatmadaw’s announcement is in line with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s statement urging a global ceasefire of armed conflicts. I think the Tatmadaw’s statement is also in response to the UN Secretary-General’s statement.

Question: What is your view on the fact that the Tatmadaw’s ceasefire does not include areas where the government does not recognize ethnic armed groups, and instead refers to these groups as insurgents or terrorists?

Answer: I think the global nature of Covid-19 is unprecedented for modern countries around the world. This is not just one country’s experience but one that requires international communities to collaborate. The difference in our country is that there are ethnic armed organizations (EAOs). These EAOs have been waging their own campaigns against the virus -often by themselves. But for all countries this has been difficult, even if people are not divided, as we are in Myanmar.

I think, in this situation, it is best to cooperate with one another and fight against Covid-19 [instead of each other]. However, the Tatmadaw’s statement of a ceasefire and cooperation only in areas where EAO’s are recognized, creates worry, particularly for the areas where the Tatmadaw defines some ethnicities as insurgents.

Question: What do we have to be worried about specifically?

Answer: I am worried the global nature of the pandemic will impact the availability of resources. What I mean is that whether it is your household, or family or the world — everyone will be affected, and then resources become scarce. We may face more taxation. When this happens, there will be robbery. That is human nature. The conflict can cause these problems amongst one another.

In such a situation, the government will need to be able to respond. The government directive that “no one will be left behind” is a good policy. We can build trust better if we travel together in this direction. We can then head the right way towards peace.

Question: Which organizations do you think will lead and implement?

Answer: I heard that the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre will lead the project on the ground. With the NRPC’s current constitution, more people should be included for the better communications and to be able to find the necessary support needed for implementation.

I want to urge those working on this matter, it is best not to do things just for show, but for meaningful and careful implementation.

**The Institute for Strategy and Policy – Myanmar (ISP – Myanmar) is an independent, non-partisan and non-governmental think tank. The goals of ISP – Myanmar are to promote democratic leadership and strengthening civic participation by conducting policy-oriented research, analysis, public outreach, training and through leadership-level dialogue.